Several theatre chains have announced that they will be resuming business in select states from Thursday.
INOX and Cinepolis, on Wednesday announced that their theatres in some states would reopen from Thursday. Carnival Cinemas announced that it will resume business starting from October 16. SPI Cinemas will reopen select cinemas in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry from the October 16.
“#ThePVRExperience is coming back! Book your calendars for movies that are releasing on 16.10.2020*! Head over to the #PVR app or click on the link below to book now! *Theatres will not be functional in a few cities until further notice,” PVR Cinemas wrote on Twitter.
The theatre chain announced several measures had been taken up as it gears to reopen. Physical checks have been halted and now been replaced with thermal screening. Cashier safety shields have been set up near the box office while hand sanitisation spots have also been installed at several places. PPE Kits and single-use 3D glasses will be on sale outside the theatre, PVR announced in a video on Wednesday.
In a video to highlight safety measures to be taken at reopened theatres, Inox said: “We are constantly on our toes to frequently deep clean and disinfect all customer touch points. We encourage you to avail contactless QR code-based options to purchase movie tickets. Please maintain at least 6 ft physical distance outside the auditorium. Our auditoriums are being deep cleaned and sanitised after every show. Kindly follow all safety protocols and sit only on your assigned seats. Please keep wearing masks at all times and disinfect your hands frequently.”
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Although the Centre announced that cinema halls could reopen from October 15 and issued Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the same, a few state governments have decided to postpone the reopening of theatres while a few others are yet to issue SOPs and directives.
While several states like Delhi, Karnataka, West Bengal, Puducherry and Bihar among others have permitted cinema halls to reopen with a 50% seating capacity, states such as Maharashtra and Rajasthan have ordered cinema halls to remain shut until October-end. Tamil Nadu and Kerala are yet to clarify their decision, while Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are yet to issue SOPs and guidelines.