Theatres in Tamil Nadu to continue functioning amidst new COVID-19 restrictions

Members of Tamil Nadu Theaters and Multiplexes Owners Association met earlier today to discuss the situation
Theatres in Tamil Nadu to continue functioning amidst new COVID-19 restrictions

The members of Tamil Nadu Theaters and Multiplexes Owners Association have decided to continue operating theatres amidst the ongoing restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Theaters in Tamil Nadu were shut in 2020 in the wake of the pandemic. However, in subsequent 'unlock' guidelines from the government, theaters were reopened to 50% occupancy on November 10, 2020, which was increased to 100% on February 1, 2021.

However, with the increase in coronavirus cases in the country due to another wave of the pandemic, the state government on April 8 announced that occupancy in theaters would again be restricted to 50%. To further dismay of the theater owners, the state government implemented multiple additional restrictions on Sunday to curb the spread of the virus. The new guidelines restrict the number of shows per day to three, in addition to a complete shutdown of theaters and multiplexes on Sundays.

Considering the situation, the members of the Tamil Nadu Theaters and Multiplexes Owners Association met earlier today to decide whether to continue operating the theaters amidst the restrictions.

Tirupur M Subramaniam, President of Tamil Nadu Theaters and Multiplexes Owners Association, said, "The members were worried initially due to the restrictions. However, we all came to a unanimous decision to continue running the theaters as long as we get content to screen. We are sure that films like Karnan will continue running for some time. Moreover, we also have new releases such as Mortal Kombat and Naayae Peyae coming up. When we can't push it further, we will once again take up the issue with the state government."

Subramaniam, however, added that with the new guidelines, the losses for the theater business will be 'unimaginable'.

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