Cinema halls & theatres will be allowed to operate with higher occupancy, the centre has announced in its revised coronavirus guidelines. The updated standard operating procedures (SOPs) that have been issued amid a steady decline in daily COVID-19 cases across the country, also allow the reopening of swimming pools for all. Swimming pools had reopened for sportspersons last year. Centre has now permitted everyone to use them. Centre in its guidelines also indicated that it might increase the permitted strength for gatherings. All types of exhibition halls will be permitted, the centre said, adding there shall be no restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement. The guidelines will come into effect from February 1. India, which had reported close to one lakh cases for some days last year, logged just 12,689 coronavirus cases & 137 fatalities on January 27.