Coronavirus Ban on Film Production Lifted in California

Film production has been allowed to resume in California by state authorities under new health protocols meant to minimize transmission of the coronavirus. Actual film shoots, however, will be subject to approval by county public health officials on a case-by-case basis.

The protocols were fleshed out by a task force of studios and union officials, resulting in a 22-page White Paper setting forth the guidelines. Some of the guidelines are the same that are standard for all businesses in this new reality, like greater sanitation (specifically, increased access to hand washing stations and sanitizer), disinfection of equipment, and social distancing. Others are unique to the film industry, such as:

• elimination of buffet-style meals, and the staggering of mealtimes to avoid gatherings of large groups in the same location at the same time;

• regular, periodic testing of casts and crews;

• the use of face coverings when feasible on set or at production/studio workspaces;

• the use of electronic, not hard copy, crew lists, call sheets, production reports and other similar documents whenever possible.

In addition, one or more COVID-19 Compliance Officers with specialized training, responsibility and authority will provide oversight and enforcement in the workplace at all times during work hours. These officers will oversee and enforce physical distancing, testing, symptom monitoring, disinfecting protocols, and PPE education.

Photo by DRs Kulturarvsprojekt from Copenhagen, Denmark, via CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0).