After Tamil Nadu, Mamata Banerjee allows 100 pc occupancy in cinema halls in West Bengal

Kolkata, January 09: Following the footsteps of the Tamil Nadu government, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday also allowed 100 percent occupancy in cinema halls in the state. She announced the news while inaugurating the 26th Kolkata International Film Festival.

 

 

The CM, while delivering her inaugural address from state secretariat Nabanna, asked the cinema hall owners to maintain all safety protocols including regular sanitisation of the theatres. "Due to the pandemic, only 50 percent occupancy in cinema halls is allowed. Now I am allowing 100 percent occupancy but proper care needs to be taken," she said.

 

Earlier, single-screen owners in West Bengal urged the state government to allow 100 percent occupancy in theatres citing poor box office returns as the reason.

 

This should be noted the Tamil Nadu govt also issued the same order however center took the objection on that and directed the TN govt to cancel the similar order saying that the cinema halls remained restricted to 50 percent capacity under the existing "unlock" rules.

 

Issuing the letter to the Tamil Nadu government from Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said."State/UT governments shall not dilute these guidelines... in any manner." The Union home ministry has so far allowed 50 percent occupancy in movie theatres outside containment zones as part of the phased 'Unlock' process. Following the letter, Tamil Nadu revised the full occupancy order in theatres