Government officials have ordered all cinema halls in 10 districts of the Jammu region to remain closed till March 31, as preventive measure against the coronavirus (COVID-19) scare. The order comes two days after one person tested positive for the deadly virus in the union territory. Along with cinema theatres, primary schools and anganwadi centres have also been directed to remain closed. 

A day ago, the Kerala government had announced restrictions on all public events till March 31, including closure of cinema houses and primary schools (till class 7).

Across the world, theatres and film festivals have registered low footfalls due to the coronavirus outbreak. Theatres were immediately shut in China, while blockbuster releases like No Time to Die and Peter Rabbit 2 have been delayed. 

Back in Bollywood, the forthcoming International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards, which was set to start on March 27, has been postponed. There is also speculation that Rohit Shetty’s Sooryavanshi will likely be delayed due to the coronavirus outbreak.