SOPs for restart of film, TV shoots issued

The guiding principles on preventive measures for media production to contain COVID spread were announced by Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar. He asserted that these measures will facilitate resumption of shooting and provide employment to scores of people impacted due to the film industry being hit in the wake of the pandemic. These SOPs have been finalised after consulting the Health and Home Ministries, Javadekar said. The I&B document also emphasised on the Health and Family Welfare Ministry’s guiding principles which state that non-essential activities will not be allowed in containment zones. The guiding principles also said that employees who are at higher risk, such as older employees, pregnant women, employees who have underlying medical conditions, should take extra precautions. They should preferably not be exposed to any front-line work requiring direct contact with the public, according to the Health Ministry’s guiding principles. They strictly prohibit spitting and state that respiratory etiquettes should be strictly followed. “Installation and use of Arogya Setu App shall be advised to all,” the guiding principles state.