Movie theatres in Kerala to open from January 5

The Kerala government has given green signal to open movie theatres in the state from January 5.

Theatres must be properly sanitised before they starts functioning as they have been shut for the past nine months, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said. Only 50 per cent of the seats must be occupied and all COVID-19 guidelines should be followed, the CM said.

The government has not decided whether to change the ticket charges.

Open theatres, exhibition halls and festivals too shall be permitted by the local authorities subject to compliance of safety protocols such as mandatory wearing of face masks, and physical distancing.

Only 100 persons will be allowed for indoor cultural events and 200 persons for outdoor events. The Central government had given permission for theatres to open from October 15 by following the restrictions given in the guidelines to fight COVID-19.

Theatres across the country had to shut their doors in March due to the pandemic and the lockdown triggered by it.