Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government on Saturday decided to reopen cinema theatres in the state from October 25.

Earlier, demands to reopen theatres were raised by theatre owners in the wake of the state giving the nod to restaurants and bars to restart dine-in facility.

The latest decision was taken at a COVID review meeting held in presence of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

Cinema theatres and auditoriums, including indoor auditoriums, have been allowed to function with a maximum seating capacity of 50 per cent.

A government order in this regard states that only those who have received two doses of COVID-19 vaccination, including workers and employees, are to be permitted entry to the facilities.

Colleges to be fully reopened from Oct 18

Regular classes in colleges and training institutions "for all batches of students, who have taken two doses of COVID-19 vaccination, can be started by October 18.

The teachers/trainers and other staff on duty should have taken both doses of the vaccination.

Hereafter, individuals will not be required to produce a COVID-19 negative certificate for entry to institutions, the government has said. "Only proof of two doses of COVID-19 vaccine may be insisted for any such purpose," the order states.

50 for weddings, funerals

The number of persons allowed to attend marriage functions and funerals has been increased to 50 from the existing limit of 20.