CHENNAI: The state of Tamil Nadu became among the first state to permit 100% occupancy in cinema halls, multiplexes and theatres after the easing of the pandemic, allowing them to sell tickets for all the available seats provided they follow the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to prevent the spread of corona virus. 

Although the state government said that the permission has been granted owing to the reducing number of daily cases and the pleas by cinema halls and theatre owners to relax the restrictions, since it’s a week ahead of the Pongal festival when big theatrical releases are usually scheduled, it is widely believed that it’s a populist demand meant to appease. 

The state government had allowed the opening of cinema halls and theatres on November 10, with only 50% seating capacities which were shut since the pandemic stuck in March, however there was a lukewarm response by the patrons with several theatres remaining totally shut. 

Without major film releases, people had turned to OTT and online movie watching apps, and many theatre and multiplex owners were representing to the government to relax the restrictions so that the audience is lured back to the halls. 

Some healthcare experts were worried about the decisions, they say that it might be too early to allow full capacity in places were following strict SOPs were next to impossible as people will be seating in close quarters in an enclosed environment. “It will be literally like a ticking bomb, one infected person has potential to infect dozens of other patrons,” said Dr Mjunathan, general practitioner who worked in a COVID care center in Chennai for six months. 

Some others mocked the decision had been taken considering that it was done to please the people as the state was heading for assembly elections are due in a few months. Karti Chidambaram, Congress, Member of Parliament for Sivaganga in Tamil Nadu said that the state government's decision was baffling. He tweeted, "A move prompted by special interests without taking into health concerns."

Cinema halls, multiplexes and theatres owners association which lobbied for the decision are a happy lot, they have assured the government to open and function with all precautions in place.

Right now Tamil Nadu has close to 8,000 active COVID-19 cases, however with recent new cases in some parts including in IIT Madras and in some hotels concerns have been raised.