Ministry of Home Affairs issues new COVID guidelines: Theatre occupancy to go up

The Ministry of Home Affairs has released a new set of guidelines for COVID preventive measures. According to the new guidelines, cinema theatre occupancy, which is currently at 50 per cent, might be increased further. 

"Cinema halls and theatres have already been permitted up to 50% of seating capacity. Now they will be permitted to operate at higher seating capacity, for which a revised SOP will be issued by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting," the Union Ministry is quoted as saying by ANI. 

The new guidelines will come into effect from February 1.

In Tamil Nadu, ahead of Master's release, the film's lead actor Vijay met Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami requesting him to increase the occupancy. Days later, the state government decided to allow full occupancy in theatres after a request from the Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners Association. However, after the intervention of the Home Ministry, the decision was reversed.