On Sunday, Prakash Javadekar, the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, released a set of Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) while allowing the shooting of the film and TV shows to resume all across the country.

The coronavirus pandemic earlier this year shut down all kinds of production as the country and most of the world went under lockdown.

In his official video statement, Javadekar informed that the film industry provides employment to many people and contributes to the country’s economy, therefore, it is time to allow the industry to work under the set system to fight COVID-19. His statement read:
“I am today very happy to announce that we are today releasing the Standard Operating Procedure for film shooting and TV programme shooting because last six months, many of the country saw a complete closure of this segment of the industry and a few states allowed partial shootings. But, today, we are laying SOP as per the international experience with the consultation of the Home Ministry and the Health ministry. This will be welcomed by the film industry because it (the industry) is an important aspect of the economy and it employs millions of people. They were not getting jobs for the last four-five months. We have issued this to facilitate the production activity to resume and in all respects. I am very sure everyone will welcome this and all the states with welcome this.”

Releasing SOP for resuming work in the media production industry https://t.co/GI4TkwLHho

— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) August 23, 2020

Javadekar on Twitter released guidelines regarding the shooting of movies, TV shows and other media productions. The minister urged producers to not expose higher risk employees (presumably those above the age of 60) to “frontline” work.

The SOP ensures adequate distancing at shoot locations and other work places and contains measures including proper sanitization, crowd management and provision for protective equipments pic.twitter.com/BCTTIzKffG

— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) August 23, 2020

'Contact Minimisation' is at the core of the SOP. This will be ensured by minimal physical contact and sharing of props, PPEs for hair stylists and make-up artists among others. pic.twitter.com/fBdkfEXcR9

— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) August 23, 2020

Protective face masks, hand sanitisers, thermal screenings, physical distancing are deemed mandatory at the workplaces. Actors in front of the camera are exempt from face-masks. Additionally, only asymptomatic people will be allowed to take part in the productions. Audiences and those not part of the cast and crew will also be barred from the sets.

The use of Arogya Setu, the central government’s contact-tracing app for COVID-19, has also been advised. Make-up artists and hair-stylists will have to use PPE (personal protective equipment). The use of props will have to be minimised and they will be sanitised before use.
The news has come as a great relief for the industry which has been struggling to thrive once again. Many daily wage earners and small-time actors went jobless when the nationwide lockdown was announced in March this year to curb the growing spread of the coronavirus.

The industry is now expecting the announcement on the reopening of theatres soon.