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New Delhi : Union Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Minister Prakash Javadekar on October 6, 2020, released the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP for film exhibition here. The SOP on preventive measures for Exhibition of Films has been prepared in consultation with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
Releasing the SOP, Javadekar said that as per decision of Ministry of Home Affairs, cinema halls will reopen from October 15, 2020, and to that end Ministry of I&B has prepared this SOP.
The highlights of the guiding principles include the general principles which have been given by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare including thermal screening of all visitors/ staffs, adequate physical distancing, use of face covers/ masks, frequent hand washing, provision of hand sanitisers etc. and respiratory etiquettes specifically with regard to the exhibition of films.
The Ministry has formulated the general SOPs taking into consideration international practices notified in the sector including physical distancing, entry and exit with designated queue markers, sanitisation, safety of staff, contact minimisation. The seating arrangements shall be restricted to 50 percent of the seating capacity. Multiplex show timings shall be staggered, so as not to have overlap of show timings, according to a PIB release. Temperature setting shall be in the range of 24°- 30°c.
The guiding principle and SOP may be used by all States and other stakeholders and State Governments while resuming Exhibition of Films. Exhibition of Films is a major economic activity that has contributed immensely to the GDP of our country. Given the current COVID –19 Pandemic, it is crucial that various stakeholders involved in activities of Exhibition of Films take suitable measures to restrict the transmission of the pandemic, while at the same time resume their operations and activities.
Ministry of Home Affairs’ had on September 30, 2020, had inter alia issued guidelines for reopening of Cinemas/ theatres/ multiplex with up to 50% of their seating capacity, in areas outside the Containment Zones only with effect from October 15, 2020.