Unlock 8: Cinema halls, theatres to open with 50% capacity in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Wednesday issued the Unlock 8 guidelines. As per the notification Cinema halls and theatres were allowed to open with fifty per cent capacity from January 1. The guideline also said that the Anganwadi centres to remain closed till January 31, 2021.

A notification issued by the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) said, “Cinema halls, theatres shall be allowed to open with up to 50 % of capacity and operate as per SOP issued by the Governemnt of India/State Government in that regard.”

“Open Air Theatres/ Jatras/ Entertainment Parks shall be permitted by the local authorities (Dist Magistrate/ Municipal Commissioner or officers authorized by them) to open subject to compliance of safety protocols such as mandatory wearing of face masks, phycial distancing etc.” the order also said.

Besides, though there will not be night curfew, all Zero Night and New Year celebrations on Dec 31 and January 1 prohibited in the State.

Regarding social functions Marriage related gatherings shall be allowed with a ceiling of 200 persons and funeral/ last rites related gatherings with a ceiling of 100 persons, subject to conditions.

Business to business (B2B) and business to consumers (B2C) exhibitions will be allowed in exhibition halls with participants and visitors up to 50 per cent of the hall capacity subjected to a maximum ceiling of 200 persons and in compliance with Covid safety protocols, the guidelines said.

However, the lockdown will be enforced within containment zones.

The state government has also prohibited congregation in public places for zero night celebration and similar other function on December 31 and January 1 across the state in view of Covid-19 pandemic.

The congregation in public places including hotel, restaurants, club, parks, convention centres and Kalyan Mandap for zero Night celebration/ Welcome to New Year and similar other functions is prohibited, said a separate order of the chief secretary.

The state is passing through a critical stage of Covid-19 pandemic and it is necessary to strictly adhere to safety protocols to contain the spread of the infection, the order read.