While rumours that theatres across India will open soon, once the lockdown ends completely, have surfaced despite the increasing number of coronavirus positive cases, theatres in Dubai have taken the plunge and opened up halls already. Open from today, they will adhere to the safety rules laid out by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government.
The theatres are reportedly screening films that had a good theatrical window from Kollywood, Mollywood, Hollywood, and Bollywood. This includes films like Dulquer Salmaan‘s Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal, Tovino Thomas‘s Forensic, Fahad Faasil‘s Trance, and more.
Read: Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal Review: Derivative, Dreary, All Over The Place
Trance Review: Fahadh Faasil Is Charged Up, But The Film Is A Half-hearted Mess
Forensic Review: A Middling Thriller That Uses Conventional Horror Tropes
Malayalam film distributor Sujith J Nair of Sayujyam Cine Release took to Twitter to reveal the news.
Dubai cinemas are open now ! following strict hygine procedures @voxcinemas Malayalam films #forensic and #trance Tickets are now on sale, along with tamil film #KannumKannumKollaiyadithaal and many #bollywood #hollywood and international contents @Dhananjayang pic.twitter.com/yzM5wNhXrd
— Sujith J Nair (@jsujithnair) May 27, 2020
Along with cinema halls, several other places have opened up from today with adherence to safety measures. This includes the Dubai airport, gyms and fitness centers, retail stores and wholesale outlets, ENT clinics, children health centres, entertainment centers, recreational venues, government centres and auction houses incapable of online auctions. Residents of Dubai can also move freely between 6 am to 11 pm, but with masks adorned and social distancing maintained.
This announcement comes despite the spike in cases in UAE. While two weeks ago, the country had reported less than 20,000 cases, the number of coronavirus positive cases in UAE has now crossed the 30k mark. The decision has reportedly been taken by the government to enable people to adapt to the situation while also not disrupting vital businesses.
Business activities in Dubai will reopen tomorrow from 6am to 11pm. #EmiratesNews #DubaiOneTv #UAE #Dubai #Coronavirus @YunusSaif pic.twitter.com/pIFI33cQui
— Dubai One (@DubaiOneTV) May 26, 2020
Meanwhile, relaxations have been announced on most rules imposed earlier due to the global coronavirus pandemic in India. With post-production activities and small screen shooting commencing down South, the Indian film and television industry is slowly looking to bounce back to normalcy. Although, the opening up of theatres in India will remain still a big question over the next few months.
Read: Multiplex Association Of India Charts Out Safety Measures And Plans For Theatres Across India
Image Courtesy: zawya.com