Northern Ontario filmmakers are assuring the public that all approved film and television productions in the area are following stringent health and safety protocols and best practices.
"During the COVID-19 pandemic and the province-wide lockdown, the government of Ontario has mandated that all film and television production activity is permitted to continue under the enhanced measures, provided that current provincial rules, regulations, and guidelines are followed," says Ty Reinhardt of CION, a Sudbury-based non-profit dedicated to promoting the Northern Ontario film sector.**
"The film and television industry in Ontario has collaborated with unions, producers, epidemiologists, health and safety experts, municipal and provincial media production offices, and the Ministry of Labour to implement strict, thorough, health and safety protocols to ensure safe working environments for workers and community members."
Training and Skills Development, have released guidelines to assist people working in the film and television industry which are intended to be referenced in conjunction with relevant and current legislation.
"Additionally, these health and safety protocols include extensive testing regimes, which have subsequently resulted in no known COVID-19 outbreaks on productions since film and television activity has resumed. These guidelines and protocols have been and will continue to be the foundation of a safe return to work and production across the province of Ontario," adds Reinhardt.
He uses the film production titled Kicking Blood that is conducting production activity in the Greater Sudbury as an example.
Safety protocols include::
- Medical doctor and nurse on-site to enforce social distancing and suspend or terminate workers immediately if protocols are not being followed.
- Four COVID-19 cleaning staff and a COVID-19 medic on-site at all times who also enforce social distancing.
- COVID-19 testing three times a week for all cast and crew members.
- COVID-19 screening every morning to check temperatures and for potential symptoms of production workers on set.
- Approximately 35 out of the 40 crew members for this production are local residents. For anyone travelling from other regions, the production requires that they receive a negative COVID-19 test prior to travelling.
- Cast and crew members cannot leave their residence for any other purpose than working on the film production (all meals are ordered in).
- Additionally, this production has been approved by Ontario Creates to participate in a pilot program for rapid COVID-19 testing.
"Film and television productions are required to ensure workplaces are safe; that cast, crew, and communities are protected; and that physical distancing is maintained as much as possible. It is the responsibility of all members of the production, and the community, to ensure health and safety best practices and protocols are being followed," added Reinhardt.
If there are specific concerns about how any film or television production is operating, and if unsafe measures and practices are being observed which could put the community at risk, you can contact CION by email at [email protected] or by phone at 705-885-9889.
**An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified CION as a film production company.
