Srikakulam: Cinema halls reopen after 8 months

Srikakulam: Cinema halls were opened across the Srikakulam district on Friday from the morning show after a gap of eight months. In the wake of Covid lockdown, theatres were closed from March 22 this year. After lifting of the lockdown restrictions, cinema halls were opened in all urban areas across the district on Friday and total theatres in the district are 40. Due to the closure of the halls, workers depending on it have lost their livelihood and found it difficult to meet both ends.

On Friday, owners and managements of various Poor turnout of people at a cinema hall in Srikakulam city on Fridayave sanitised the halls and seats. Before allowing viewers into the theatres, body temperature tests were conducted with thermal scanners and sanitisers were provided to the viewers.

Dubbing films were screened in Srikakulam on Friday and new Telugu films will be screened in the coming days. Theatre owners are expecting good crowds during the festival season of Christmas, New Year and Sankranthi.

"We are excited to see a movie in a theatre after eight months and satisfied with the Covid norms being followed in theatres," said Seepana Babji and Seepana Narayana Rao of Regupadu Village in Kotabommali mandal. They saw a movie in a cinema hall in Srikakulam town on the first day of resumption.

As per Covid protocols, viewers were allowed to sitting in alternate seats, Joint Collector Sumit Kumar clarified.