UP gives six-month licence fee waiver to cinemas, multiplexes

LUCKNOW: In a major relief to cinemas and multiplexes that had been shut since the end of March due to the Covid-19 lockdown and are beginning operations from Thursday, the state government has announced an exemption of licence fees from April to September, 2020.
Chief minister Yogi Adityanath announced the exemption of six months in light of the fact that cinema halls and multiplexes did no business in this duration due to the lockdown guidelines.
The exemption has been announced under the provisions of Section 10 of UP Cinema (Regulation) Act 1955.
Cinemas and multiplexes have finally been allowed to start operations from Thursday but the permission has come with several riders to enforce sanitation and social distancing. An auditorium can only be filled to 50% of its capacity while ticket sales will largely take place online or through contactless payment mode. Face masks will be compulsory for all guests and staff.