It’s being a long time, that the cinema halls and multiplexes have closed their doors for the movie lovers due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. As the country still fights back to return to the new normal, the theater and multiplex owners are trying every bit to ensure a safe return to their businesses.
A fortnight ago, when multiplexes announced that Kabir Khan’s 83 and Rohit Shetty’s Sooryavanshi could open up in the cinema halls during the upcoming festive windows, it filled in the business with a lot of hope. Of course, there were some pertinent questions- for instance, what would be the new government approved SOPs (standard operating procedures) for the functioning of the cinema halls? Also, when does the government plans to allow movie halls to open their doors to audiences, given that unlocking India phase has begun?
Over the past few months, the Multiplex Association of India (MAI), along with all its stakeholders, has been working towards drafting a fool-proof set of guidelines that aim to bring cinemas back into action while addressing health and safety concerns. BT visited Inox Cinemas at Inorbit Mall, Malad, to acquaint itself with the practical application on the suggested SOPs.
Talking on behalf of MAI, Rajeev Patni, the COO of Inox Leisures Ltd, told Times of India, “While we are prepared to follow all the safety norms, we leave it to the authorities to decide what the correct time for us to open our doors to patrons is. As of now, we are not looking at what our occupancies are going to be like and the kind of revenues that might come in. the most important question is, how do we win back the confidence of the guests? COVID-19 is a global phenomenon, and everyone is aware of the steps to be taken at a personal level to ensure safety. As a cinema chain, we, too, have a stringent set of SOPs in place to ensure further safety.”
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SOPs THAT THE CINEMA PLAN TO ADOPT
- Stagger show timings in a manner not more than one screen starts the show and has interval at the same time.
- Stagger the entry in a manner that at any point of time, only customers for a particular show are entering the Cinema/Lobby/Lounge
- Ensure a minimum gap of 15 minutes between two shows for thorough cleaning and disinfecting.
- Entry to lounge/waiting area to be allowed only 30 minutes before each showtime to avoid crowding.
NORMS FOR CUSTOMERS TO FOLLOW
- Hygiene and frequent sanitization.
- Compulsory download of Aarogya Setu App
- Customers to be encouraged to utilize digital platforms.
- The customers must wear a facemask mandatorily throughout the visit.
- Customers shall be encouraged to scan QR codes for accessing food menus and ordering food.
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