LOS ANGELES, June 6 (Xinhua) -- California Governor Gavin Newsom has given green light to the resumption of Hollywood film and television productions starting June 12, under guidelines from public health authorities to contain the novel coronavirus pandemic.
"Music, TV and film production may resume in California, recommended no sooner than June 12, 2020, and subject to approval by county public health officers within the jurisdictions of operations following their review of local epidemiological data including cases per 100,000 population, rate of test positivity, and local preparedness to support a health care surge, vulnerable populations, contact tracing and testing," the California Department of Public Health said Friday in a statement.
The department indicated that in order to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, productions, cast, crew and other industry workers must abide by safety protocols agreed by labor unions, companies and public health officers.
The move was called by local media as a major step toward reviving the entertainment business after the coronavirus outbreak crippled the booming industry nearly three months ago.
On Monday, the Industry-Wide Labor-Management Safety Committee Task Force submitted a 22-page white paper to Newsom, as well as New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and other state government leaders across the country, proposing health and safety guidelines to protect workers and performers as production resumes.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the task force's recommendations included using individually packaged meals instead of buffet tables, allowing live audiences only when they wear masks and remain a safe distance apart, and requiring a COVID-19 compliance officer on every set.
These measures are expected to raise film and TV budgets, analysts and executives were quoted by the report, saying shooting costs could increase by 10 percent to 20 percent per day. Enditem
