Film and teledrama industry get green light to resume work under strict guidelines

Wednesday, 20 May 2020 01:51 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

DGHS releases operational guidelines on preparedness and response for COVID-19 outbreak for film and teledrama industry
Advised to do preproduction work using online conferences
Workers on sets to be kept to minimum with crowd scenes to be avoided where possible
Artists encouraged to use own makeup applicators and costumes
Guidelines also cover transport, meals etc.

By Chandani Kirinde

Health Services Director General Dr. Anil Jasinghe

The Ministry of Health gave the film and teledramas industry the go ahead to start its activities with adherence to operational guidelines that require the celluloid world to make major changes to the way they operate.

The operational guidelines on preparedness and response for COVID-19 outbreak for film and teledrama industry was released by Health Services Director General Dr. Anil Jasinghe yesterday.

The MoH advised that planning and preproduction work on films and teledramas should be done by using online conference methods at all possible occasions while physical presence of teams be limited to a minimum at all times, be it in production, recording, editing or other activities.

Filming of crowd scenes where physical distancing cannot be maintained are also to be avoided where possible, while in indoor sets, crew members are to be limited to a minimum and places kept well ventilated with windows open.

Artists have also been advised to bring their own makeup applicators where possible and use their own costumes to minimise the spread of COVID-19.

In instances where a makeup artist is hired, there should be regular disinfecting of tables, changing rooms, makeup equipment after each use etc. while sharing of costumes is not permitted. If dressing rooms are provided, they should give facilities where physical distancing measures can be upheld.

No buffets are permitted when serving meals to workers on film sets and meals should be served packed and all drinks must be in single serving containers like water bottles.During post-production and dubbing, all audio-visual equipment and commonly touched surfaces must be regularly cleaned while physical distancing must be maintained during recording with advice to appoint technical staff on shift basis.

The MoH also said workers in the industry must be encouraged to use personal vehicles where possible and if common transport is provided, to ensure that working groups are transported separately.