Cinemas and Malls To Open, But No Relief to Cinema Industry?

In the third phase of Lockdown, the Central Government had announced several relaxations for the businesses in the Green and Orange zones. Wine shops were opened even in the Red Zones as well. The Governments have spared only the Containment zones. However, there is no clarity about resuming the Entertainment Business.

Buzz is that the central government will allow shootings with limited cast and crew and abundant precautions from June. The Government is also mulling the option of opening the malls and cinemas. They will be opened in Green and Orange Zones first.

Social-Distancing will be followed strictly and the cinemas will have to leave one seat between every two seats. Also, sanitizers and masks will be made available, and crowding at the Food counters will be disallowed. Orders will be taken in the seats and delivered. The commonly touched areas will be sanitized every hour and there will restriction of people allowed to the mall.

The Government is likely to ask the industry to come forward with their proposals. On the other side, filmmakers say that they are skeptical about people coming to the theaters in one or two months after they open. So, movie releases are unlikely. So, there is no or little solace for the entertainment industry even if these are implemented.