New guidelines regarding the much-awaited decision of re-opening of Cinemas have finally been issued. The Multiplex Association of India has released an official statement on 30 September, 2020 after the Ministry of Home Affairs permitted the re-opening of cinema halls, theatres and multiplexes all across the country. The Government has issued new guidelines for Unlock 5.0, allowing cinemas to re-open from 15 October, 2020 onwards. Cinema halls have remained shut in the country ever since a nationwide lockdown had been imposed in the month of March, 2020. Cinema halls and theatres have been allowed to open but with the condition of only up to 50 percent of seating capacity. 

While the cinemas have remained closed for over 6 months now, people all across the country had been anticipating a decision regarding the same. The Multiplex Association of India shared the new information with anticipating people and also expressed their gratitude towards the understanding and guidance by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The Association added that the health and well-being of people visiting the cinemas happens to be the top-most priority following which proper safety, security and hygiene will be ensured inside the premises of the cinema halls so that the experience of watching a film on the big screen remains as surreal and as exciting as it has always been. The Government has taken the decision in view of a dire need of recovery of the economic as well as financial situation in the country because of the pandemic. While movies have been releasing digitally on various OTT platforms, people have been craving the cinema experience for a long time now following which the Association expressed their happiness of having movie lovers back at the theatres amid a safe and a brand new yet different experience.