President of Kerala Film Exhibitors Federation, Liberty Basheer, stated the situation in Kerala is not conducive for reopening theatres. 

Liberty Basheer’s response came after the central government’s decision to reopen theatres as part of Unlock 5. He told mathrubhumi.com that the association has decided not to reopen the theatres until December. 

He also stated that theatres cannot function with 50 percent occupancy without the removal of GST, Municipal Tax, Welfare Tax and Flood Cess.

He said that the number of COVID patients is increasing on a daily basis in Kerala. If any member of the audience tests positive for the disease after watching a movie in a theatre, then the theater will have to be shut down.

Reopening of the theatres will be considered in the state only after all the taxes imposed on theatres are taken off temporarily. This is a decision taken by Kerala Film Exhibitors Federation, Kerala Film Distributors Federation and other associations. Producers and Distributors associations have also taken the same stand, Liberty Basheer stated. 

The central government approved the reopening of theatres in the country with 15 to 50 percent occupancy. Only those theatres outside of containment zones can be reopened.