Officials with the Los Angeles Department of Public Health (LADPH) has urged the county’s film industry to exercise caution and “consider pausing production” due to surges in COVID-19 cases.
According to FilmLA, a nonprofit that handles film permits for the county, the LADPH contacted the county’s film industry contacts by email to remind filmmakers of the increasing number of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths as well as both existing and new safety guidelines.
While officials have not announced the closure of filming production, it did encourage filmmakers to consider pausing production for the next few weeks, stating that “although music, TV and film productions are allowed to operate, we ask you to strongly consider pausing work for a few weeks during this catastrophic surge in COVID cases.”
Like many industries, the film industry was impacted by the pandemic when filming in L.A. County and the state of California was put on hold in mid-March. In June, the LADPH issued a Health Order to allow for the re-opening of the entertainment industry, including film and television production, with safety protocols put in place.
The Santa Clarita Film Office also reopened and began issuing film permits following the Health Order in June, with Santa Clarita Councilman Cameron Smyth stating that “the City’s film program remains an integral part of the local economy.”
This last fiscal year was the seventh in a row that the City’s film program generated over $30 million in estimated economic impact, City officials have said.
Film and television production has since been allowed, but with the implementation of health and safety measures, which according to LADPH included “moving more work outdoors, delaying higher-risk work and putting some productions completely on pause.”
Now as a surge of cases has left California facing its deadliest month since the start of the pandemic and a severe shortage of hospital resources, the LADPH has urged filmmakers to avoid traveling for production purposes and to reinforce safety protocols on set.
“Hospitals are full virtually everywhere,” stated the message from LADPH asking filmmakers to “keep cast and crew close to home.”
Although traveling for production purposes is not banned by the state, it is currently not advised due to the increase in COVID risk “by making it more likely people will end up together in vehicles or indoors in less controlled settings.”
The use of telework and virtual meetings is also recommended whenever possible by the LAPHD for film production, and on-set COVID-19 Compliance Officers are reminded to enforce physical distancing among on-set personnel.
Additionally, the County’s Blanket Health Officer Order on Quarantine was recently updated to include a shorter 10-day quarantine option. The health standards applicable to local film production known as Appendix J, is expected to be updated soon to reflect the order. Even with the adjustment, health officials warn that “the virus can still potentially incubate for up to 14 days, therefore heightened precautions and health monitoring are important.”
With the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines approved for use and about 66,000 healthcare workers have received the first doses in L.A. County, the health department reassured filmmakers that “there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”
For now, county and health officials encourage the film industry to “identify and delay higher risk activities, and focus on lower-risk for now, if at all possible.”
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