Mumbai: SoPs out for cinemas, auditoriums, only 50 per cent seating capacity for now

Workers sanitise a theatre in Thane ahead of the statewide reopening of cinemas and auditoriums

Ahead of the reopening of cinemas, multiplexes, theatres and auditoriums across Maharashtra on October 22, the state government on Tuesday issued SoPs for the facilities as well as patrons. While the staff must be fully vaccinated to enjoy movies responsibly, citizens have been asked to stick to COVID-appropriate behaviour and not carry any eatables inside the halls. The staff must keep the proof of vaccination handy.

The guidelines for cinemas and auditoriums also include allowance of 50 per cent seating capacity. The management will have to control crowding in the common and waiting areas, make sanitisers available and ensure that the staff and patrons wear masks. Thermal check-up of the entrants has been made mandatory. Food is not allowed inside the hall. For multiplexes, show timings will be staggered to avoid crowding and digital ticket booking will have to be encouraged apart from opening more box office windows. In multiplexes where only double vaccinated visitors are allowed, the audience can enter by showing the movie tickets.

Owners have been instructed to control crowding at cinema halls

For easy verification of vaccination claims, the staff and patrons should have Aarogya Setu app installed on their phones. Those fully vaccinated with a 14-day cooling period will be allowed to enter and work. Ventilation and air-conditioning should be as per the protocol. The temperature should be maintained between 24 and 30 degrees Celsius and humidity between 40 and 70.

SOPs for drama theatres

>> Designated backstage people, no guests backstage
>> Regular medical check-up of actors, especially child artistes and backstage staff
>> Sanitisation/fumigation of the show's property, green rooms and auditorium