Unlock 3.0 – Cinemas likely to reopen
A PVR movie hall being fumigated. (Photo: Ramesh Pathania/Mint)
According to LiveMint, Bollywood has ended its worst first six months of the year with losses of over ₹1,000 crore. “We’re extremely hopeful of getting permissions starting August and hope to resume across states by the end of September,” Gautam Dutta, CEO, PVR Cinemas said in an interview to Mint. The covid-19 pandemic has led to zero revenues for the first time ever for theatre owners and deprived the industry of a bunch of big-ticket, mid-sized and small-scale films which could have together brought significant returns at the box office especially during these summer months when schools are shut.
Following the social distancing norms, while family members, couples and groups will be seated together, the seating arrangement will ensure that the seat next to them is left empty to keep people from different households away from each other. There are also speculations that alternate rows in the theatre will be kept empty to keep a safe distance from each other.
People wear protective masks as they watch a movie in 3D at a theatre in Beijing, Chinaon on 24 July. Photo: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images
The sale of movie tickets, foods and beverages will be made online (or with the help of an app) to ensure contact-less purchase and delivery. This is done to encourage contact-less and paperless payments. Theatre chains have already invested in safety and hygiene protocols. PVR, for instance, has come up with a completely contactless transaction system where the customer has to only scan QR codes available at multiple touch points through his phone camera to book tickets and then order food and beverage. The theatre’s entrance is fitted with sensors which will be followed by temperature checks, failing which the customer will be denied entry.
Touch-free antibacterial gel stations (sanitizers), plastic gloves and garbage bins (to discard used tissues, gloves and masks) to be made available across all cinema halls.
Deep cleaning of the theatres is recommended between screenings to ensure the hygiene and safety of the customers entering the cinema halls.
