Mumbai: The Maharashtra government on Tuesday issued standard operating procedures (SOPs) for reopening of theatres, multiplexes and auditoriums in the state from October 22, saying these establishments will be allowed to operate at a 50% capacity and no food or beverage can be served inside the screening area.

The SOPs do not specify any vaccine mandate for movie-goers. Also, since entry into malls is restricted to fully vaccinated individuals and those under 18 years old, entry to multiplexes which are located inside malls will be given on showing a movie ticket. Thus those unvaccinated or partially vaccinated could also enter multiplexes inside malls after showing their tickets at the entrance to the malls and multiplexes.

Masks have to be compulsorily worn all the time. The state government has also given its nod for other cultural events to be organised in open-to-air venues or even closed auditoriums from October 22, and SOPs listed out by the state will be applicable to these events also.

As per the SOPs, only fully vaccinated (14 days after second dose) staffers like ushers, food handling staff and cleaning staff will be allowed. Other SOPs include sanitising of auditoriums after every screening, staggering of movie timings to avoid crowding, and regular cleaning and disinfection of theatre areas.

Theatres and auditoriums were reopened in the state last November after the decline of the first wave and were shut again in March.

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Ahead of the reopening of cinemas, multiplexes, theatres and auditoriums across Maharashtra on October 22, the state government on Tuesday issued SoPs for the facilities as well as patrons. While the staff and audience must be fully vaccinated to enjoy movies responsibly, citizens have been asked to stick to COVID-appropriate behaviour and not carry any eatables inside the halls. They also must keep proof of vaccination handy.

The guidelines for cinemas and auditoriums also include allowance of 50 per cent seating capacity. The management will have to control crowding in the common and waiting areas, make sanitisers available and ensure that the staff and patrons wear masks. Thermal check-up of the entrants has been made mandatory. Food is not allowed inside the hall. For multiplexes, show timings will be staggered to avoid crowding and digital ticket booking will have to be encouraged apart from opening more box office windows.

For easy verification of vaccination claims, the staff and patrons should have Aarogya Setu app installed on their phones. Those fully vaccinated with a 14-day cooling period will be allowed to enter and work. Ventilation and air-conditioning should be as per the protocol. The temperature should be maintained between 24 and 30 degrees Celsius and humidity between 40 and 70.

- Designated backstage people, no guests backstage

- Regular medical check-up of actors, especially child artistes and backstage staff  

- Sanitisation/fumigation of the show’s property, green rooms and auditorium

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Mumbai: The state government has included additional SOPs for drama auditoriums as there is an element of live performances there.

All artistes should be fully vaccinated, and props and frequently touched items should be frequently sanitised, the SOPs state. No guest will be allowed to mingle with performers inside the green room or even on stage. Use of makeup items like brushes and combs should be seperate for each artiste.

But although Coronavirus prevention norms for stage plays and cinema theatres are stringent, artistes and backstage workers are relieved they can finally resume work after a long interval. Actor-producer Makarand Deshpande summed up the mood, saying, “It’s a good beginning.”

Actor Vijay Patkar, who is president of the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Chitrapat Mahamandal, said, “Shri Ganesh toh hua (It is a welcome start). My dominant feeling is one of happiness that at least after a year-and-a-half of joblessness, our backstage workers, tamasha artistes, can resume earning an income.” 

Patkar had organised demonstrations urging the state government to reopen theatres for the welfare of artistes and folk performers, especially from mofussil areas, who have fallen on hard times. Yet, Patkar said, it is equally true that “50% occupancy is less than adequate.” “If we allow 50%, we may only get 30% since audiences are still wary. Given the ebbing of the Covid wave, I feel at least 75% occupancy should have been permitted. Compliance norms are stringent too. But we will abide by all rules,” he said.

Film trade associations echoed similar feelings. Birendra Nath Tiwari, president of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) said, “The bottomline is that after 18 months, we are happy theatres can start screening films once again. During the pandemic, film-goers have grown accustomed to watching films on mobile phones and other digital platforms, and this prolonged diversion does not augur well for the medium of cinema. The experience and magic of the silver screen must be revived. We do find the reopening norms extremely strict, especially as crowds elsewhere are not regulated with such zeal. But we have no objection. Let us at least restart business. Moreover, by now, people have adjusted to Covid protocol like masks and sanitisers. And now that malls allow only fully vaccinated visitors, the public is getting used to that also.”

Cultural affairs minister Amit Deshmukh said that while the state government wants to open up all sectors and give relief to the people associated with the sectors, it is mandatory for all of them to be responsible and follow all Covid-related guidelines set down.