The Union Home Ministry on Wednesday issued new guidelines allowing more capacity in cinema halls and opening up swimming pools for “all” persons. The Ministry also allowed the opening up of all exhibition halls.
The MHA new guidelines said that the Information and Broadcasting Ministry will issue new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for cinema halls to increase the current capacity of 50 per cent to higher seating capacity.
As far as the opening of swimming pools, the Ministry of Sports will issue SOPs for allowing all persons. Currently, only sportspersons are allowed to use swimming pools. The Ministry of Commerce is empowered to formulate SOPs for opening up of exhibition halls.
“Cinema halls and theatres have already been permitted up to 50 per cent of seating capacity. Now they will be permitted to operate at higher seating capacity, for which a revised SOP will be issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in consultation with the MHA.
“Swimming pools have already been permitted for use of sportspersons. Now swimming pools will be permitted for use of all, for which a revised SOP will be issued by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MoYA&S) in consultation with the MHA,” said the new guidelines.
MHA Guidelines for Surveillance, Containment, and Caution, which is valid up to February 28, also allowed the Civil Aviation Ministry to take appropriate decisions to start more international travel operations.
“Social/ religious/ sports/ entertainment/ educational/ cultural/ religious gatherings have already been permitted up to a maximum of 50 per cent of the hall capacity, with a ceiling of 200 persons in closed spaces; and keeping of the size of the ground/ space in the view, in open spaces. Now such gatherings will be allowed subject to SOP of the State/UT concerned,” said the guidelines.