SOPs for cinema halls: The Centre on Tuesday issued guidelines regarding the operations at cinemas and multiplexes that are set to reopen from October 15 after remaining shut for more than six months in view of the Covid-19 pandemic. Also read: Unlock 5.0: Cinema halls, multiplexes to open with 50% capacity from October 15, states to decide on schools and Unlock 5: International Air Travel, Except Those Permitted by MHA, to Remain Shut Till Oct 31

On Tuesday, Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar confirmed that theatres will be reopening from October 15, 2020. The theatres were shut for about seven months due to the coronavirus pandemic and now will be available to patrons with 50 percent capacity and one-seat distance between them. Prakash Javadekar posted a 50-second long video on his Twitter page with 24 guidelines to be followed by people who will be visiting theatres.

Flipkart Big Billion Days sale to begin on October 16: Deals on mobile phones, TVs, speakers listed

Show timings of the screenings will also be staggered and a sufficient number of box office counters shall be opened to avoid overcrowding, the ministry has said. They have also advised the audience to avoid movement during the intermission.

SOPs for cinema halls, multiplexes

The general guidelines include adequate physical distancing of at least six feet to be followed outside the auditoriums, common areas, and waiting areas, use of face covers or masks to be made mandatory at all times, availability of hand sanitizers, preferably in the touch-free mode, at entry and exit points as well as common areas within the premises, prohibition on spitting and installation of the Aarogya Setu app.

Thermal screening of visitors and staff will be carried out at entry points and only asymptomatic individuals shall be allowed to enter. There shall be designated queue markers for entry and exit of the audience from the auditorium and the premises. There must be sufficient time interval between successive screenings on a single screen as well as on various screens in a multiplex to ensure row-wise staggered entry and exit of the audience.

Occupancy in cinemas should not be more than 50% of their total seating capacity and seats that are not to be occupied shall be marked as such during booking. There should be proper crowd management in the parking lots and outside the premises, a number of people in the elevators shall be restricted and efforts shall be made to avoid overcrowding in the common areas, lobbies, and washrooms during the intermission.

The show commencement time, intermission period, and finish time of a show at any screen shall not overlap with the commencement time, intermission period, or finish time of a show at any other screen in a multiplex.

Digital no-contact transactions should be the most preferred mode for issues or payments for tickets, food, and beverages, etc. by using online bookings, use of e-wallets, and so on. The contact number shall be taken at the time of booking of tickets to facilitate contact tracing.

There must be adequate cross-ventilation and temperature setting of all air conditioning devices should be in the range of 24-30 degrees Celsius. Delivery of food and beverage inside the auditorium shall be prohibited.