Film production during COVID-19

According to the Ordinance of the Council of Ministers of 16 May 2020 on establishing certain restrictions, orders and prohibitions in connection with the occurrence of a state of the epidemic, the performance of activities by entities producing cinematographic films, video recordings, television programmes (TV series, documentaries) and television commercials and related post-production activities (activities classified in classes PKD 59.11 and 59.12) is not subject to restrictions. Only motion picture projection activities (PKD 59.14.Z) are subject to restrictions, except for open-air motion picture projection and recording. It should also be stressed that the ban on organising meetings introduced by the regulation in question does not apply to meetings and gatherings related to the performance of professional activities or official tasks.

However, in the light of the applicable legislation relating to epidemics, each film producer is obliged to provide additional security measures for those involved in a film project:

• the individual workstations must be at least 1,5 meters apart unless this is not possible due to the nature of the work to be carried out, and the establishment provides personal protective equipment relating to the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic;
• people on the plan must wear gloves or have access to disinfectant fluids.

To carry out production tasks, it will be important to apply the following principles based on the recommendations of the Chief Sanitary Inspector:

1. Promoting regular and thorough hand washing by people in public places: water and soap or disinfecting hands with an alcohol-based agent (min 60%).
2. Place containers of hand disinfectants in visible and easily accessible areas and ensure they are refilled regularly.
3. Placing posters to show how to wash your hands properly.
4. Take all precautions to reduce the possible risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and, in particular, follow the orders and guidelines for the use of personal protective equipment.
5. Observing cough and breathing hygiene. When coughing and sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a bent elbow or handkerchief – throw the handkerchief into a closed basket as soon as possible and wash your hands with soap and water or disinfect them with alcohol-based agents (min 60%).
6. Immediate withdrawal from the person who has the following symptoms: fever, coughing, dyspnea, breathing difficulties. The person should be ordered to immediately notify the sanitary-epidemiological station by telephone or to report directly to the infectious diseases unit, where further medical treatment will be determined.
7. Ensuring that the rooms are clean and hygienic:– touch surfaces such as desks, tables, handles, light switches, handrails and other items (e.g. telephones, keyboards, payment terminals) as well as warehouse equipment and internal goods handling equipment must be regularly wiped with disinfectant or wiped with water and detergent;- all frequently used areas, such as toilets, common areas, should be regularly and carefully cleaned with water and detergent.

Comprehensive guidelines concerning the principles and organisation of work on a film set during the COVID-19 epidemic were developed by the SAR Advertising Producers Club in cooperation with, among others, Leśnodorski Ślusarek i Wspólnicy. The principles of safe work on set take into account the legal regulations in force in Poland as well as guidelines and recommendations of the Chief Sanitary Inspector.

In the case of film production in other countries, it is worthwhile to familiarize oneself with the restrictions introduced there to minimize the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus during operation. The principles of safe work on set can be found on the websites of associations and institutions operating in the field of film and production in individual European and world countries. Among them, it is worth noting the principles of safe work on set developed by the company: Belgium, the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, and Denmark, as well as Florida.