The state government has issued safety precautions for theatres and moviegoers, including collecting their names and mobile numbers to enable contact tracing and testing for Covid-19.
Movies will also have two intermissions instead of one to enable greater ventilation and to reduce exposure in a closed cinema hall.
Chief Secretary P Ravi Kumar released the safety guidelines in a circular on Thursday based on the recommendations of the 71st Covid-19 Technical Advisory Committee meeting held on February 3.
While only 50% occupancy was earlier allowed in theatres, cinema halls and multiplexes as a matter of precaution and in the greater public interest, a revised Standard Operating Procedure has been issued after 100% occupancy was allowed for four weeks on Wednesday following representations from the Karnataka film industry.
The guidelines include wearing of masks at all times and for the entire duration of the movie, while CPWD (Central Public Works Department) guidelines on air-conditioning of the theatres must be strictly complied with.
Movie halls are also required to display the dos and don’ts on Covid-19 precautions in prominent places.
The guidelines will be reviewed in March.