Return to production

Wherever possible, productions should take all reasonable steps to ensure the cast, employees and members of the public are reasonably able to maintain a separation of at least two metres from others, except for brief exchanges. These productions must adhere to all provincial and federal travel restrictions.

The following guidelines should be followed by film production crew and cast on set/on location and in production offices.

• International and domestic travel continues to be restricted. Anyone entering Manitoba must self-isolate for 14 days, with certain exceptions. Visit manitoba.ca/covid19/soe.html to review current public health orders. Self-isolation must be completed before attending the work site.
• As much as possible, offer virtual pre-production and/or virtual rehearsals. Limit the number of face-to-face interactions.
• According to Workplace Safety and Health legislation, employers have a responsibility to provide a safe workplace for their workers. Employers must designate a health and safety representative If they have 10 to 19 workers, and a health and safety committee for a crew of 20 or more workers. Employers, representatives and committees should ensure all workers are following COVID-19 guidance recommendations.
• Consider how to adapt activities to take place outdoors, when possible.
• Limit on-site visitors and other non-essential staff. Avoid contact and interactions with the general public.
• Individuals must use the self-screening tool daily before reporting on set/location or the production office, and must stay home when ill. Individuals at higher risk of serious illness may consider waiting to return on set/location.
• Maintain a single point of entry and discourage people from leaving/re-entering the premises. Hand hygiene stations should be placed at the entrance and strategically throughout the premises. All individuals should be directed to clean their hands upon entry and upon leaving the premises, as well as regularly throughout the day. Screen all individuals at the entry for symptoms and exposures using the screening posters or the online screening tool.
• Educate staff on physical distancing.
• Minimize contact with number of individuals involved in the production by creating working cohorts or teams that remain isolated from each other.
• Post signage indicating COVID-19 physical distancing protocols, along with floor markings, where cast or crew congregate.
• Minimize close contact with others (within two metres/six feet). When this is unavoidable and close contact is required, a non-medical mask (or medical mask, if available) should be worn (e.g. hair, make-up, camera). Minimizing the amount of time where close contact within two metres is absolutely required without personal protective equipment, such as during filming. Develop and implement strategies to rehearse with physical distancing or personal protective equipment.
• Providing meals on set/location must follow applicable restaurant guidelines. Buffet-style eating is prohibited. Congregating for meals should be avoided. Onsite snack bars, coffee bars and other confectionery style refreshment counters should be closed.
• Shared equipment (such as props, camera equipment) must be cleaned/disinfected frequently and after each use (if it cannot be cleaned/disinfected between cast and crew, then it cannot be used). This can be done by the cast and crew, but a designated individual must ensure this is being done properly and consistently.
• Ensure enhanced cleaning of indoor facilities, particularly washrooms. All high-touch surfaces must be cleaned and sanitized with Health Canada approved disinfectant that kills viruses, including coronaviruses.
• Transportation required to and from sets/locations must follow applicable transportation guidelines.

Guidelines for dressing rooms/washroom facilities include:

• encouraging individuals to shower at home and limit use of dressing area;
• minimizing in-person wardrobe fittings as much as possible, and minimizing the number of staff attending in-person fittings;
• removing any common use items from dressing rooms;
• posting signage for guidance on shower area use to maintain physical distancing;
• modifying the use of dressing rooms to maintain physical distancing, including those involved in fittings;
• making a disinfectant spray or wipes available for participants to disinfect dressing room surfaces before and after use; and
• ensuring enhanced and frequent cleaning and disinfection of dressing rooms.

In response to The Canadian Motion Picture Association requesting clarification from the Government of Canada on the implications of the various Orders in Council (OICs) as they relate to entering Canada to engage in film production, Canada's Border Services Agency recently released this COVID 19: Film & TV Industry One-Pager.