Multiplexes witness up to 20% dip in footfall due to Covid-19

Multiplex operators are witnessing around 15-20 per cent decline in footfall across India due to coronavirus scare and deferral in release of several big-ticket movies, which may impact revenue in the quarter, industry officials said.

Several states and UTs including Delhi, Kerala and Jammu & Kashmir have directed the closure of all movie halls as a precaution against Covid-19.

The Karnataka government has also directed to close movie halls in Bengaluru while the Maharashtra government has ordered shut down in some cities such as Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad.

According to industry officials, multiplex owners, for the safety of viewers, are taking several precautions such as use of disinfectants and increase in the frequency of housekeeping and daily deep cleaning routines, and are "optimistic about the business" once the situation normalises.

"Coronavirus is a concern indeed for cinemas across India. Already we have seen with Baaghi 3 that footfalls are down about 15-20 per cent in certain places. There is a lot of paranoia about the virus and it has impacted business but perhaps not to such an extent as the Western countries," Mukta Arts MD Rahul Puri told PTI.

He further said:" Bracing for a shutdown in key international markets, big films have shifted their release dates, as those markets are key for them and their business prospects."