Coming as a setback to Actor Vijay and his upcoming film “Master”, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has written to the Government of Tamil Nadu (GoTN) to revoke the order that allowed 100% occupancy in cinema theatres and comply with the Ministry’s guidelines dated December 28 that allows for only 50% occupancy.
In a letter addressed to Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary K. Shanmugam, Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said that the Government of Tamil Nadu’s GO dated January 4 that permitted cinema theatres to operate at 100% occupancy rate amounted to dilution of the MHA Guidelines dated December 28, 2020.
The letter also drew attention to the Supreme Court’s direction given to the State Governments on December 18, 2020 that calls for strict enforcement of COVID-appropriate behaviour like social distancing norms, wearing of masks, regulation of gatherings, etc.
“In view of the above, GoTN is requested to immediately issue necessary order to bring their guidelines in line with MHA Guidelines dated 28th December, 2020 and inform compliance to the Ministry”, the letter stated.
Earlier, the Tamil Nadu government on January 4 issued an order allowing theatres to function in full capacity from the 5th of January. This announcement came just days after Actor Joseph Vijay met Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami.