Union Home MInistry on Wednesday asked Tamil Nadu Government not to allow opening of cinema theatres with full capacity and asked to keep only 50% of the seating capacity. In a direction Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) directed the state to reverse their earlier order and “immediately issue necessary order” to bring their guidelines in line with the MHA guidelines. “Government of Tamil Nadu order of permitting increase the seating capacity of Cinema/theaters/ multiplexes from existing 50% to 100% is dilution of MHA order. States and UT shall not dilute guidelines issued under DM act in any manner,” MHA said in a statement.

“Govt of Tamil Nadu is requested to immediately issue necessary order to bring their Guidelines in line with the MHA guidelines dated 28 December 2020 and inform compliance to this Ministry,” the ministry further said. Home Secretary wrote to Tamil Nadu Chief secretary to issue orders aligned to MHA guidelines, allowing multiplexes to operate outside containment zones with up to 50% occupancy.

On Monday, Tamil Nadu Government had permitted to increase the seating capacity of cinemas, theatres, multiplexes from existing 50% to 100% following COVID19 protocols. The order comes days after actors and theatre owners requested Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami to allow theatres to function at their full capacity. As per the COVID-19 safety protocol, since last October, the theatres in the state were allowed to fill up only 50 per cent of their seats to ensure social distancing.