Tamil Nadu Minister for Information and Publicity Kadambur Raju on Tuesday in a statement informed that no decision as yet has been taken in regard to the reopening of theatres in the state despite the Centre announcing a while back that cinema halls’ operations outside of containment zones across the country can resume from October 15. He further stated the release of films on the OTT platform does not fall within the jurisdiction of the State and Central governments. 

On Tuesday, Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar tweeted the standard operating procedures (SOPs) all theatres and cinema halls around the country will have to follow to safely continue their operations amid the coronavirus pandemic. Using the hashtag UnlockWithPrecautions, Mr Javadekar said, "Cinema halls shall be allowed to open with 50 per cent capacity only and people will maintain one-seat distance. Alternate seats will be left vacant for social distancing. Wearing masks at all times inside the hall will be important." The guidelines for theatres reopening are as follows: 

1) Occupancy of the cinema hall shall not be more than 50%

2) Adequate physical distancing while seating 

3) Seats "Not to be occupied" shall be marked as such

4) Provision for hand wash and hand sanitizers

5) Installation of Aarogya Setu app shall be advised to all 

6) Thermal screening to be carried out. Only asymptomatic individuals shall be allowed

7) Self-monitoring of health and reporting any illness

8) Staggered show timings shall be followed for different screens

9) Digital modes of payments to be encouraged

10) Regular cleaning and disinfection of the box office, and other areas 

11) Sufficient number of counters at the box office shall be opened

12) Audience encouraged to avoid movement during the intermission

13) Floor markings shall be used for physical distancing for queue management at the box office

14) Purchase of tickets at the box office to be open throughout the day, advance booking to be allowed to avoid crowding

15) Spitting shall be prohibited

16) Respiratory etiquettes to be strictly followed

17) Only packaged food and beverages shall be allowed; no delivery inside hall

18) Multiple sale counters for food and beverage

19) Measures for the safety of the sanitization staff such as adequate provisions for gloves, boots, masks, PPE, etc.

20 ) Contact number shall be taken to facilitate contact tracing

21) Sufficient number of counters at  the box office shall be opened

22) COVID-19 related stigmatization or unruly behavior shall be dealt with strictly

23) Temperature setting of all air conditioning to be in the range of 24-30 degree celsius

24) Public service announcements on wearing masks, physical distancing and hand hygiene to be made before and after screening and during intermission