<p>All single-screen cinema halls and most of the multiplexes in West Bengal will remain shut till March 31 in wake of the coronavirus outbreak, it was announced on Tuesday.</p>.<p>The Eastern India Motion Pictures Association (EIMPA), the apex body of producers, distributors and exhibitors, asked all its members to stop the screening of films.</p>.<p>"We have asked owners of all single screens to cancel shows with immediate effect in the interest of public safety," EIMPA president Piya Sengupta said.</p>.<p>The decision comes after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged cinema halls, stadiums and auditoriums to remain shut as a precautionary measure.</p>.<p><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/coronavirus-india-update-state-wise-total-number-of-confirmed-cases-812987.html" target="_blank"><strong>Follow updates of coronavirus cases in India here</strong></a></p>.<p>The owner of Navina cinema, Naveen Chokhani, said the step was necessary to ensure the safety of audience and hall employees.</p>.<p>Priya Entertainments' owner Arijit Dutta said, "We are suspending all shows but please quote me as asking that why the state is not closing down malls and only cinemas."</p>.<p>Film Federation of India President Firdausal Hasan, who himself has put off shooting of two productions, welcomed the decision.</p>.<p>"Nothing is more important than public safety. There should not be any laxity in preventing an outbreak. We should cooperate with the government," he said.</p>.<p>Leading multiplex chain INOX Leisure suspended shows in all its screens across the state.</p>.<p>"...we will fully respect and follow the government's advisory to keep the cinemas closed as a preventive measure. We would also like to assure our guests that we will....look forward to serve them again," it said in a statement.</p>.<p>SVF, which owns 13 screens across the state, also suspended shows.</p>
<p>All single-screen cinema halls and most of the multiplexes in West Bengal will remain shut till March 31 in wake of the coronavirus outbreak, it was announced on Tuesday.</p>.<p>The Eastern India Motion Pictures Association (EIMPA), the apex body of producers, distributors and exhibitors, asked all its members to stop the screening of films.</p>.<p>"We have asked owners of all single screens to cancel shows with immediate effect in the interest of public safety," EIMPA president Piya Sengupta said.</p>.<p>The decision comes after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged cinema halls, stadiums and auditoriums to remain shut as a precautionary measure.</p>.<p><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/coronavirus-india-update-state-wise-total-number-of-confirmed-cases-812987.html" target="_blank"><strong>Follow updates of coronavirus cases in India here</strong></a></p>.<p>The owner of Navina cinema, Naveen Chokhani, said the step was necessary to ensure the safety of audience and hall employees.</p>.<p>Priya Entertainments' owner Arijit Dutta said, "We are suspending all shows but please quote me as asking that why the state is not closing down malls and only cinemas."</p>.<p>Film Federation of India President Firdausal Hasan, who himself has put off shooting of two productions, welcomed the decision.</p>.<p>"Nothing is more important than public safety. There should not be any laxity in preventing an outbreak. We should cooperate with the government," he said.</p>.<p>Leading multiplex chain INOX Leisure suspended shows in all its screens across the state.</p>.<p>"...we will fully respect and follow the government's advisory to keep the cinemas closed as a preventive measure. We would also like to assure our guests that we will....look forward to serve them again," it said in a statement.</p>.<p>SVF, which owns 13 screens across the state, also suspended shows.</p>