A delegation of members of the Multiplex Association of India (MAI) met Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Thursday and requested his intervention in allowing the reopening of cinema halls in the national capital.
Amid the spike in COVID-19 cases following the emergence of the Omicron variant, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday declared a ‘yellow alert’ for closure of schools, colleges, cinemas and gyms.
The MAI delegation in its meeting highlighted the “adverse economic situation” being faced by the industry due to several shutdowns since March 2020. According to a statement, the delegation informed Sisodia that the government has decided to shut down cinema halls in Delhi. The Yellow Alert of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has created “huge uncertainty”, leading to changes in film releases like Shahid Kapoor’s “Jersey”, which is no longer releasing on December 31.
Under the four-stage Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), if the positivity rate remains stable at 0.5 per cent for two consecutive days, a ‘yellow’ alert will be triggered, leading to several restrictions.
The delegation was led by Ajay Bijli, chairman of PVR Ltd, who said the association appreciates the government’s fight against COVID, but offered alternatives instead of shutting down cinema halls completely.
“We would urge the Delhi government to consider introducing the ‘double vaccination requirement’ for entry into cinema halls, as is the case in some other states. Alternatively, the 50 per cent seating capacity restriction in cinema halls could be revisited. may be implemented from here on,” the statement read.
The association said Sisodia assured the delegation that the matter would be taken up with the Delhi Disaster Management Authority task force and other government officials.
At the meeting, the delegation urged the minister to give “equal treatment” to cinemas at par with other industries and institutions.
He said the exhibition area has demonstrated its ability to “operate safely for the public and staff” with the use of advanced ventilation systems, enhanced sanitation and other safety protocols. The delegation also presented a research report on ‘Low COVID transmission risk in cinemas’, which captures the findings in various cinemas across the world. “The delegation highlighted the unique social, cultural and economic value of the Indian film industry, and requested the Deputy Chief Minister to provide the necessary support to survive in this unprecedented period,” the statement further read.
MAI, which was set up in 2002 by leading cinema operators under the aegis of Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), represents over 11 cinema chains operating over 500 multiplexes across the country.
According to data from the Union Health Ministry, the daily increase in COVID-19 cases crossed the 13,000-mark after almost 49 days, taking the total number to 3,48,22,040.
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