As per the guidelines, the Kerala government said has granted permission to reopen cinema halls and indoor auditoriums with only 50 per cent occupancy.

• Entry to cinemas will be allowed only to those who have taken two doses of vaccine

• The decision was taken at a high-level COVID-19 evaluation meeting which was chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan

• The number of guests allowed at marriages and funerals will be increased to 50

Thiruvananthapuram:

With the coronavirus situation improving in Kerala, cinema halls and indoor auditoriums in the state will reopen from Monday with certain restrictions.

As per the guidelines, the Kerala government said has granted permission to reopen cinema halls and indoor auditoriums with only 50 per cent occupancy.

The decision was taken earlier this month at a high-level COVID-19 evaluation meeting which was chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

Entry to cinemas will be allowed only to those who have taken two doses of vaccine.

The staff should also be fully vaccinated, a release issued by the Chief Minister’s office said. “Only 50 per cent of the seating capacity will be allowed in cinemas and auditoriums,” it said.

At the meeting held on October 2, it was also decided that the number of guests allowed at marriages and funerals be increased to 50.

Movie halls and auditoriums in Kerala have been shut for over one and half years since the outbreak of COVID-19 in March last year.

The film industry recently expressed concern over the continuing closure of cinemas.

The entertainment industry has been badly hit due to the coronavirus pandemic as many film shoots and theatres across India were halted twice affecting the livelihood of several persons and their families.

Kerala on Sunday logged 8,538 new coronavirus cases, and 363 deaths due to the infection which pushed the tally to 49,06,125 and toll to 28,592.

Of the 363 deaths, 71 were reported in the last few days, 211 were those which were not confirmed until June 18 last year due to lack of adequate documentation and 81 were designated as COVID deaths after receiving appeals based on the new guidelines of the Centre and Supreme Court directions, a state government release said.