Madras high court asks Tamil Nadu govt not to permit more than 50% occupancy in theatres till Jan 11 – Times of India

MADURAI: After the Tamil Nadu government on Friday sought time to obtain instructions with regard to 100% occupancy in theatres, the Madras high court on Friday asked the state government not to permit more than 50% occupancy in cinemas till January 11.
The court was hearing a batch of three petitions challenging a government order permitting 100% occupancy in theatres and multiplexes in the state.
A division bench of Justice M M Sundresh and Justice S Ananthi observed that all the petitioners primarily contended that notwithstanding the mandate of the Disaster Management Act and guidelines issued by the central government, a dilution had been made with regard to increasing the occupancy in theatres and multiplexes from 50% to 100% by the Tamil Nadu government.
The judges observed that a perusal of various communications sent by the national authorities to the state government clearly states that there could not be any breach of the 50% occupancy. The judges further observed that a communication dated January 5 had been sent by the Union home secretary to the chief secretary of Tamil Nadu to act according to the guidelines, after the state government passed the GO increasing the seating capacity of theatres.
The judges observed: “We are dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic situation which does not bother about the economic factors and territories such as district, state or country.”
Since additional advocate general Sricharan Rangarajan informed that court that the state government was considering the matter and sought time to obtain clear instructions in this regard, the judges said that the state government should not allow more than 50% occupancy till January 11. The judges observed: “We hope and trust that the state government would reconsider the issue in the right perspective.”
The judges also asked the state government to consider the suggestions given by the petitioners to increase the number of shows without increasing the occupancy. The judges said that while considering increasing the number of shows, sufficient intervals should be given between the shows to carry out sanitation work.
The case was adjourned to January 11 for further hearing.