PUNE: As the panic around Coronavirus gripped the city after 4 patients tested positive for the virus, the footfall at malls and cinema halls across Pune has reduced. Despite the weekend being followed by Holi holiday, many people preferred to stay indoors. The malls and cinema halls managements have begun taking extra measures to make their visitors feel safe.
“While we usually have a lower footfall at this time of the year due to ongoing school and board examinations, Coronavirus fear has certainly affected the number of customers even more,” said Sadanand Mohol of Theatre Owners and Distributors Association, an organisation of single-screen cinema halls.
He also added that the theatre owners have been taking extra measures to take care of the customers.
“We are paying extra attention to the usual hygiene and we will also be disinfecting the cinema halls now,” Mohol added.
Malls across the city have made hand sanitisers available at all their cash counters. A staff member of a multiplex situated in an upscale mall, on condition of anonymity, said that not only has the footfall of movie-goers has reduced, but some staff members are also hesitating to come to work.
“We have to handle cash from so many people, that’s what bothers some workers here,” she said, encouraging all customers to use the hand sanitiser at the counter.
A statement released by INOX Leisure Ltd has stated that the frequency of hygiene routines, deep-cleaning routines and disinfecting routines, in all areas, whether customer-facing or back offices has been increased.
“Hand sanitisers have been placed at multiple points within all our multiplexes. Considering an upcoming big release, we are prepared to receive our guests in the safest possible cinema environment. We will follow any government advisories which comes our way at local, state or national level,” said the statement.
SAFETY MEASURES
- The malls and cinema halls managements have begun taking extra measures to make their visitors feel safe.
- Malls across the city have made hand sanitisers available at all their cash counters. A staff member of a multiplex situated in an upscale mall, on condition of anonymity, said that not only has the footfall of movie-goers has reduced, but some staff members are also hesitating to come to work.
