Tamil Nadu authorities removes 50 per cent cap on theatre occupancy

In a giant enhance to the battered Tamil movie business, the state authorities on Monday issued a brand new directive eradicating the 50 per cent cap on occupancy in theatres.
“Now, therefore the government hereby permits to increase the seating capacity of cinemas/theatres/multiplexes from existing 50 per cent to 100 per cent by following the Standard Operating Procedure issued already,” mentioned the Tamil Nadu authorities in its later order.
The order comes days after Vijay and theatre homeowners requested Chief Minister Edappadi Okay. Palaniswami to permit theatres to perform at their full capability. As per the COVID-19 security protocol, since final October, the theatres within the state had been allowed to refill solely 50 per cent of their seats to make sure social distancing.
The protocol has now been modified in view of Vijay’s upcoming film Master, which is because of open in cinemas on January 13. Simbu’s Eeswaran will hit the screens on January 14.
Master has the suitable alternative to restart the enterprise of movie exhibition, which has suffered losses working into lots of of crores within the final yr. The business stakeholders are betting on Vijay’s huge recognition to attract the group again to theatres, regardless of the pandemic.

Tamil Nadu is the primary state to permit cinema halls to function at 100 per cent capability. The 50 per cent cap, nevertheless, nonetheless stays in neighbouring states. In reality, solely final week, the Kerala authorities gave its nod to re-open theatres with 50 per cent capability with COVID-safety protocols in place.