Cinema halls across India are set to reopen from October 15, after seven months of COVID-19 induced lockdown.
On October 6, Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar issued 24 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the exhibition of films in film theatres across India. The guidelines are such that would alter the movie-watching experience.
One of the key highlights of the guidelines is "Only packaged food and beverages shall be allowed inside cinema halls."
Further, no delivery of food would be allowed inside the hall. The SOPs include running theatres at no more than 50% occupancy and following mandatory physical distancing norms.
The ministry has also said ticket counters shall remain open throughout the day to prevent crowds and to encourage advance bookings.