Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government on Friday cancelled its order permitting 100 per cent occupancy in movie theatres and said the capacity shall be restricted to 50 per cent.

Days after allowing full capacity in cinemas following representations from the film industry, the government cited an advisory from the Centre and a petition in the Madras high court over the matter for revoking its decision.

Till further orders, occupancy shall be confined to 50 per cent in all kinds of cinemas, including single and multiple screen movie halls and multiplexes, the government said in an official release. The standard operating procedure (SOP) to prevent the spread of Coronavirus should be followed, it said.

The government, however, allowed theatres to screen additional shows as per a directive of the Madras high court and said the order would be in force with immediate effect.

On January 4, it had permitted 100 per cent seating capacity in cinema theatres and directed them to follow the SOP. The relaxation was given after owners of cinema halls made a representation to the government seeking its permission to allow full seating capacity. PTI

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At the inaugural ceremony of the 26th Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) on Friday, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee announced that a notification will be issued allowing 100% occupancy in theatres, making the state the second after Tamil Nadu to allow the same. On 100% occupancy during KIFF screenings, Chakrabarty said, “Till we get the notification, we will have to go by the alternate seating arrangement. Those with guest cards will be allowed entry keeping in mind the hall capacity.”