India allows cinemas to operate with 100% seating capacity
The Indian government has allowed cinemas and theatres across the country to extend their seating capacity from the existing 50% to 100%, effective from 1 February in a new regulation. The move is expected to be a big boost to the cinemas, which have recently witnessed the return of audiences in large numbers to watch the January releases.
The operating guidelines include adherence to social distancing of at least 6 feet in the waiting areas, enforcing mandatory usage of face masks at all times, providing hand sanitisers at entry and exit points and recommending the installation and usage of government’s Arogya Setu app that is used for contact tracing and self-assessment.
Cinemas across several Indian states were shuttered as part of the lockdown restrictions imposed by the Indian government in March 2020 in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Some high-profile Indian films including Amitabh Bachchan starrer “Gulabo Sitabo”, Akshay Kumar’s “Laxmmi” and Suriya’s “Soorarai Pottru” abandoned their plans for a theatrical release and opted to premiere on streaming platforms. But the majority of producers and distributors pushed back their release dates and played the waiting game.
Cinemas were allowed to open their doors in November 2020 upon implementing several Covid-safety measuring including making masks mandatory for staff and audiences and restricting the seating capacity to 50%. Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet” was among the first films to be screened in cinemas following their reopening.
January 2021 South Indian releases like “Krack”, “Master” and “Eeswaran” drew huge crowds back to the theatres, marking a resurrection of business in south Indian states. The state of Tamil Nadu allowed cinemas to operate with 100% capacity ahead of January 2021 releases, but their decision was overturned by the federal government, which requested states to abide by the Ministry of Home Affairs guidelines of 50% occupancy leaving cinema owners, producers and distributors disappointed.
Filmmakers from states of West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh were also in favour of 100% occupancy and the federal government has finally agreed to their demands provided the Covid-19 safety guidelines are adhered to.