Is it safe to plan a movie date with friends? Bookmark this checklist before you book tickets

There’s some good news for movie-goers. The multiplexes and cinema halls have finally reopened after a seven-month-long wait as part of Unlock 5 following the coronavirus pandemic that forced people to shelve their socialising plans and made them stay at home.

Delhi, Chennai, Gujarat, West Bengal, Maharashtra, and few cities in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh welcomed the home-bound customers from Wednesday, while Goa plans to keep cinemas shut until the release of any new movie. Chandigarh is still weighing the pros and cons of reopening theatres to the public, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry have agreed to sit this one out.

Cinephiles can rewatch some Hollywood and Bollywood movies on the big screen that had released a couple of weeks before the country declared a nationwide lockdown. The multiplexes have offered a rerun of movies like the Sushant S Rajput-starrer 'Chhichhore', 'Thappad', 'Tanhaji, 'Kedarnath', 'Shubh Mangal Zyaada Savdhan', 'Dream Girl', 'Malang', 'Mission Mangal', 'The Spy', 'Bloodshot', 'Lion King', 'Ford vs Ferrari' and 'Knives Out'.


Cinema halls gearing up
Several film entertainment companies that have been eagerly waiting for this day are complying with the Central government's directive of 50 per cent capacity, paperless ticket arrangement, sanitisation of all the seats, and seats marked 'not to be occupied' for ensuring physical distancing to combat the spread of coronavirus.

PVR Cinemas has gone all-contactless with the help of a QR code system. In a statement to a news agency, Gagan Kapoor, Regional Head of Delhi - PVR Cinemas, said that they would also serve pre-packaged food and beverages through the QR code system.

"We will be sanitising every touchpoint on the premises and have got antimicrobial film handles. Each theatre will be sanitised after every show and will undergo deep cleaning during the night," he said.

Online ticket booking has resumed from Thursday on all platforms such as Bookmyshow, Paytm and Amazon. Multiplexes will arrange masks outside the cinema hall for visitors entering the food gallery. The 'Arogya Setu' app on mobile devices is also a must.

According to the MHA guidelines, the air conditioner temperature also needs to be between 24 degrees and 30 degrees for people's safety.

Online ticket booking platform BookMyShow has also ensured a safe movie-watching experience with the help of its new safety shield tag. The new 'My Safety First' feature will alert the users about various safety and hygiene measures available across various properties listed on the platform.

It will show list safety indicators available across every theatre listed on the platform such as in-cinema seat distancing, thermal screening, contactless security check, availability of hand sanitisers, and daily temperature check for staff members, among others.

INOX Movies also released a list of safety measures taken by them on social media. Deep cleaning after every show, e-tickets, contactless QR-based entries, 6 feet physical distancing outside the auditorium, compulsory masks, and designated bins for used masks and gloves are some of the features at INOX.


Cinepolis India took to Twitter to inform that while they are open, cinemas will not be functional in a few states until further notice. The tweet further said that the theatres will be sanitised and deep cleaning will be done with WHO recommended chemicals at regular intervals.


Is it really safe?
In times when the coronavirus has infected over 73 lakh people, Dr Amita Bhandarkar, Senior Consultant - Internal Medicine, Columbia Asia Hospital - Sarjapur Road, feels it is imperative that one should only step out if absolutely essential.

Dr SN Aravinda, Consultant - Internal Medicine, Aster RV Hospital, feels that the focus should be in minimising contact with people as much as possible.

Dr Bhandarkar also mentioned that going to the movie theatre in large groups is not a good idea. "Choosing to go to a movie theatre is an individual choice. The risk of catching corona infection is high in a closed space," he stressed.

If anyone plans to be in a closed, crowded area like the movie theatre, try to stay in the centre of the room which will ensure good space, says Dr Rohan Sequeira, MD Consultant Cardio - Metabolic Physician at Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre, Mumbai.

Dr Kirti Sabnis, Infectious Disease Specialist at Fortis Hospital in Kalyan suggested that one should stay away from people who look ill or are continuously sneezing and coughing.

Mask it right
Choosing the right kind of mask is key to a safe movie-watching experience. Ditch the masks with the valve as they are of no use, says Dr Susheela Suresh, Senior Consultant - Internal Medicine at Apollo Hospitals Bangalore.

According to him, the most effective mask is either N95 or a cotton variant if worn correctly covering the nose and mouth.

Wearing the mask incorrectly is one of the major warning signs, say doctors. Try to keep distance from people who partially remove their mask to talk or while performing some activities. The doctors suggest politely asking them to cover up both nose and mouth. Wearing a mask is as effective as a vaccine, says Dr Sequeira.

Dr Sabnis believes it is wise to stay away from people not wearing a mask.

80% of the Covid positive patients are Super Spreaders, who are also asymptomatic. Dr Suresh believes even one Super Spreader can infect 20-30 people in the theater.

"Most people who would go to the cinema hall in the pandemic will likely be youngsters. There is 85 per cent of chance of them being asymptomatic carriers. If this young crowd wears masks with valves, the virus is likely to spread quickly. The air that they breathe out will infect the rest," Dr Suresh added.

Precautions before leaving home and after you return
Dr Aravinda informed that it is safe to maintain a few sets of standard clothes that will be only worn when stepping out. These outfits should be regularly washed and sanitised every time you return home.

Dr Manoj Goel, Director - Pulmonology at Fortis Memorial Research Institute urged people to not indulge in any other activity after exiting the movie hall. "Head home, take a bath with warm water and wash your clothes," he added.

Dr Sequeira recommends not rush out of the door after the movie. One must take time to make sure s/he doesn’t get caught in the crowd.

When stepping out, don't carry a lot of things with you. Dr Aravinda said that carrying few things reduces the risk of transfer of microbes onto the items. "Keep all of these items in one bag. Sanitise before leaving the house and before re-entering the house," he added.

While wearing a face shield may be difficult during the movie, Dr Sequeira suggest a good quality clear glasses to keep the eyes safe.