Coronavirus now hits Indian entertainment industry: Film shootings put on hold till Mar 31
Mumbai/IBNS: At a time when the globe, along with India, is witnessing a massive coronavirus outbreak, all film bodies, including Indian Motion Pictures Producers' Association (IMPPA), Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) and Indian Film & Television Directors' Association (IFTDA) on Sunday decided to halt shooting of all 'entertainment products' till Mar 31.
The shooting will be stopped from Mar 19.
Filmmaker and IFTDA president Ashoke Pandit tweeted: "Film bodies #IMPPA #FWICE #IFTDA #WIFPA #IFPTC #ASAP in its meeting today decides to halt all the shootings of all entertainment products due to #CoronaVirus from this Thursday to 31st March. We stand by the concerns & follow the instructions of the Govt."
Decision on restarting the shooting will be taken on March 30, after considering the prevailing situation, Mr Pandit said in a statement here.
Film bodies #IMPPA #FWICE #IFTDA #WIFPA #IFPTC #ASAP in its meeting today decides to halt all the shootings of all entertainment products due to #CoronaVirus from this Thursday to 31st March.
— Ashoke Pandit (@ashokepandit) March 15, 2020
We stand by the concerns & follow the instructions of the Govt.
Several states across the country, including Karnataka, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu and parts of Maharashtra have also called for a shutdown on theaters till the month-end, to contain the virus that has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
India's 24-billion-USD media and entertainment sector had also cancelled it's annual flagship event, the FICCI Frames, to be held later this week. New dates are expected to be announced shortly.
So far, India had reported two deaths from COVID-19 and confirmed cases under treatment rose to 107, including 17 foreigners.
Meanwhile, Lucknow District Magistrate Abhishek Prakash on Sunday has ordered the closure of all cinema halls, multiplexes, gyms, disco and swimming pools with immediate effect due to Coronavirus outbreak in Uttar Pradesh.
He said that the closure will last till March 31.
The DM said that people violating the order will be penalised under section 188 of the CrPC.
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