Multiplex Body “Dismayed” At Ban Not Being Lifted, Urges For Permission To Open Up

The Multiplex Association of India (MAI) on Thursday launched an announcement saying that it feels “dismayed” that the federal government has not allowed cinema halls and multiplexes to open below ‘Unlock 2.0’. It urged the federal government to provide permission for opening up cinema halls in non-containment zones. In the assertion, it mentioned that as in comparison with retail shops and retailers, multiplexes and cinema halls are a part of the organised sector and opening up cinema halls can change into an instance of “how social distancing guidelines and crowd control can be best exercised in a safe and planned manner”.

It additional mentioned that India’s multiplex business employs greater than 2 lakh individuals straight and accounts for greater than 60 per cent of the revenues of the movie business. It mentioned that an early determination for opening up the multiplexes is essential as even after opening up it will take 3-6 months for issues to return to normalcy. It additionally gave examples of nations the place cinemas have been allowed to open up. 

In May, MAI had submitted an enhanced security and precautions plan for reopening cinema halls to the Information & Broadcasting Ministry and numerous state governments. The plan included measures associated to sanitisation of multiplex premises, social distancing norms inside the auditorium, pointers for the staff and a evaluation plan after two months.