Only 6% citizens willing to visit theaters or multiplexes in the next 60 days; majority feel opening them is extremely risky

July 29, 2020, New Delhi: the COVID-19 cases in India are witnessing a steep hike everyday and the numbers in India have grown to over 1.4 million. Unlock 2.0 is set to end on Friday, July 31st, and the Government is in the process of formulating guidelines for Unlock 3.0, which will come into effect from 1st August. It is believed that among easing out other restrictions, Government may be considering reopening of gymnasiums and movie theaters.

LocalCircles conducted a survey to get collective pulse of people of India on reopening of gyms and multiplexes and if they would visit these places in the next 2 months. Survey received over 18,000 responses from 251 districts of the country.

In the first question citizens were asked if the Government opens multiplexes and movie theatres as part of Unlock 3.0, will they be going to watch movies in the next 60 days. In response, 32% said they will not go to a theatre or multiplex to watch a movie. Only 3% said they would go many times while another 3% said they will go once or twice.

Only 6% citizens willing to visit theatres or multiplex in the next 60 days; majority feel opening them is extremely risky

This means that only 6% citizens are willing to visit theaters or multiplex in the next 60 days and majority feel that opening them is extremely risky, given the COVID-19 situation. Although cinema hall owners have been asking for the reopening of theatres with 50% seating capacity, concern remains about the air-conditioning inside theaters leading to spread of the virus from asymptomatic but infected individuals. 80% or more cases in India have been asymptomatic. Per World Health Organisation communication issued in early July, there is now evidence that the virus may be airborne in indoor spaces.

OTT platforms are fast becoming the new way of consuming content, especially during the lockdown, when many shows and a few movies were released exclusively on some of these platforms.

In addition to the issue of movie theaters and multiplexes, people have been discussing the issue of opening up gymnasiums. With many lockdowns and movement restricted to just home, residents in societies and colonies have been urging their Resident Welfare or Home Owner Association to open the club house and the gym. Similarly, for many fitness conscious citizens, who have the membership to a local gym and have paid annual dues already, not being able to use the gym is a concern.

However, when people were asked if they would visit gyms in case the Government decide to open them as a part of Unlock 3.0, 6% said they will go as they were going pre-COVID and 3% said they would go less frequently than pre-COVID. 32% said they will not be going at all.

Only 9% citizens willing to go back to the gym in the next 60 days; many feel they shouldn’t be reopened