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DPA
New Delhi
Cinemas in some Indian states opened their doors again on Thursday, more than six months after they closed as part of restrictions brought in to control the coronavirus pandemic.
The opening of theatres with half capacity, social distancing and other safety measures comes at a time when the virus continues to spread, though government data indicates that the pace has slowed since September.
India is the second most affected country by the pandemic with 7.31 million cases, according to Health Ministry data.
A total of 67,708 new COVID-19 cases have been reported since Wednesday and 680 deaths taking the number of fatalities to 111,266.
Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka were among the states where cinemas plan to reopen either on Thursday or on Friday.
States that have decided not to open cinemas yet include Maharashtra and its capital Mumbai, which is home to the Bollywood film industry, as well as Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Telangana.
Theatres have made arrangements for contactless ticketing, social distancing stickers on floors, taping up alternate seats in the halls and basins in the bathrooms and UV sterilisation of food and beverages.
Ticket sales have not picked up yet, but theatre managers hope this will change soon.
One of India’s largest film companies, PVR Cinemas, has been carrying out free screenings for employees, health workers and the police force and their families to let people experience safety measures at first hand and build confidence. Their theatres open on Friday.
New Delhi
Cinemas in some Indian states opened their doors again on Thursday, more than six months after they closed as part of restrictions brought in to control the coronavirus pandemic.
The opening of theatres with half capacity, social distancing and other safety measures comes at a time when the virus continues to spread, though government data indicates that the pace has slowed since September.
India is the second most affected country by the pandemic with 7.31 million cases, according to Health Ministry data.
A total of 67,708 new COVID-19 cases have been reported since Wednesday and 680 deaths taking the number of fatalities to 111,266.
Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka were among the states where cinemas plan to reopen either on Thursday or on Friday.
States that have decided not to open cinemas yet include Maharashtra and its capital Mumbai, which is home to the Bollywood film industry, as well as Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Telangana.
Theatres have made arrangements for contactless ticketing, social distancing stickers on floors, taping up alternate seats in the halls and basins in the bathrooms and UV sterilisation of food and beverages.
Ticket sales have not picked up yet, but theatre managers hope this will change soon.
One of India’s largest film companies, PVR Cinemas, has been carrying out free screenings for employees, health workers and the police force and their families to let people experience safety measures at first hand and build confidence. Their theatres open on Friday.
