Multiplexes and Cinema halls had been shut owing to Covid-19 since the first lockdown was announced in the country on March 25. For a very long time, the Multiplex Association of India had urged the government to reopen the multiplexes in India. Finally, on Wednesday, the government announced the regulations of Unlock 5.0, wherein, the multiplexes all over the country can reopen from 15th October.
However, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry have given permission to open Cinemas/ theatres/ multiplexes with 50 percent of their seating capacity. The ministry will issue the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the same. Apart from this, swimming pools used for training purposes of sportspersons and entertainment parks are also allowed to reopen from 15 October. With regards to the opening of schools and educational institutes, the state governments have been given flexibility to decide for the same.
The Multiplex Association of India wholeheartedly welcomed this decision and released an official statement for the same. The association has ensured that the health and wellbeing of their guests and employees will be their top most priority. They will be committed to provide a safe, secure and hygienic cinema going experience for the movie lovers of the country.
The MAI has also requested the state governments to provide ‘urgent permission’ to reopen cinemas in their respective states as it would help the cinema exhibition sector to quickly recover from the dire economic and financial impact of the epidemic.
However, according to the new guidelines issued by the government, the lockdown will be implemented strictly in Containment Zones till 31 October.
