‘Confusion caused by conflicting stand on vaccination by Center and State’
Theater and multiplex owners said that though the state government has lifted the occupancy restrictions in cinemas, the restrictions imposed on visitors are creating confusion and affecting business. For example, only those wearing an N-95 mask are allowed entry and have proof that they have taken both vaccines.
“In more than two years since the outbreak of the pandemic, nowhere” Has the state government mandated that N-95 masks are mandatory as of now. Even top functionaries are not always seen wearing N-95 masks. Making them mandatory for entry into theatres, will create unnecessary confusion and affect business. Most people wear cloth masks. Should we send them back?” KV Chandrasekhar, President, Karnataka Film Exhibitors Association said.
A senior public health official said the rule was created out of concern that the third wave was not over yet. The omicron version of the virus has a higher transmittance, and the N-95 mask is an added protection given that people will be sitting in an air-conditioned environment theater for more than two hours. “It is a negotiation. If the industry does not want any restrictions on occupancy, it has to agree to certain conditions,” said the health official.
The confusion is not limited to theatres, but also to malls, restaurants and other public places frequented by families. In such cases, the two-vaccine entry criterion is proving to be a problem for the guards and staff monitoring the entry points. “Families move in with children who have not been vaccinated. We do not know how to deal with such cases. There are also many anti-vaxxers who argue that the government cannot force them to vaccinate or discriminate against them if they do not get vaccinated,” said a mall owner on condition of anonymity. But said.
He said that the central government had also recently taken a stand that vaccines cannot be made mandatory. “But the state government guidelines clearly state otherwise. This has led to many arguments and changes,” said the mall owner. Mr Chandrashekhar said the government needs to at least make it clear that children have been exempted. “They are not eligible for vaccination anyway. If we deny entry of children, the families will not come,” he said.
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