COVID-19 Production Protocol
COVID-19 Production Protocol
As a human being, parent, and child I am continually keeping up-to-date on the latest health and safety guidelines and industry recommendations. I want to work and be as safe as possible on set for myself, my crew, and my clients to stop the spread of COVID-19 and reduce risk for the most vulnerable members of our society.
We all have loved ones we want to keep safe and we all need to work together to ensure that as we return to work we can do so in the safest manner realistically possible. As such, I have become OSHA COVID-19 Production Infection Control Certified and have decided to implement new policies and procedures pre-production and on set to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 during production.
My Part
Sanitized Studio
- Ensuring a sanitized studio; paying close attention to high-touch surfaces prior to each production (countertops, tables, sinks, bathrooms, door handles, etc). This includes a full cleaning & setup day prior to any crew or client arriving.
- When possible, scheduling production 24-hours apart for an ideal quarantine period in the space to further reduce the risk of virus transmission.
- Hand soap and single use paper towels will be provided at each sink. I encourage everyone to utilize these frequently and throughout the day as well as and before and after each meal break.
- Sanitizing any shared equipment and surfaces before and after use throughout production.
Reduce The Spread - COVID-19 signage posted throughout the studio to promote and remind everyone present of best practices which includes but is not limited to:
- Limited Client & Crew Size: No more than 6 people will be allowed in the studio at any given time and those present will be limited to essential personnel only. I encourage those who don't need to be on set to work remotely. We will utilize screen sharing and live streaming as much as practically possible.
- Physical Distancing: Maintaining 6ft apart from others at all times except when absolutely necessary. We will assign studio areas to specific crew members and marking their specific space out to reduce cross-contamination of workspaces and limit the number of people handling/touching equipment.
- Ensuring appropriate PPE is available for Client & Crew (masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, etc) if they cannot provide their own appropriate PPE.
- Wearing a face covering throughout the day.
- Staggered crew & client arrival times to avoid congestion at entrances and promote physical distancing.
- Two separate bathrooms allowing for socially distanced facility usage as well as reducing cross-contamination.
- Opening studio windows, when practical, to create a cross breeze to increase ventilation.
- Per the recommendation of SFDPH to "minimize use of self-service areas" studio kitchen amenities will no longer be available to Crew & Clients (other than freezer/fridge use for meal storage). Meals will be ordered for contact-less delivery from a best practices restaurant where single use, pre-packaged food & beverage containers, utensils, and cups will be used. If crew or client feels more comfortable bringing their own food, the precaution is welcomed.
- Meals will be taken socially distanced apart using the large studio mezzanine above the production floor to increase distance, stagnating meal times when possible.
Your Part
Health Awareness - Stay informed of current COVID-19 protocols and guidelines, and adhere to any/all SF City public health directives before, during, and after production:
- Pre-Production: Requesting that whenever practical, but not required, for myself & crew to have a COVID-19 test within 2 weeks prior to production.
- Day Of Production: All personnel will be required to participate in a daily COVID-19 questionnaire prior to arriving on set.
- Ill or symptomatic persons should not arrive at the studio and report in sick, otherwise they will be denied entry and/or be excused from set.
- If you have had contact with anyone with symptoms, call in sick - we can utilize screen sharing & live streaming for an on-set presence.
- Monitor your temperature the day of production before arriving at the studio.
- If you are arriving via public transportation, car-share, or other means which cannot maintain infection control standards, please bring a sealed change of clothes for the day to limit the studio exposure to cross contamination.
- Be prepared to come to the studio as self-sufficient as possible.
- Face coverings or masks must be worn at all times inside the studio other than meals, please limit talking while not wearing a mask.
- Practice infection control procedures when using using restrooms (disinfect, use, disinfect).
- Maintain 6ft physical distancing at all times unless absolutely necessary.
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for 20 seconds per best practice guidelines throughout the day.
- Use hand sanitizer frequently and before & after touching high-traffic surfaces.
- Cover your cough and sneeze.
- Avoid touching face, mouth, nose, and eyes
In addition to adhering to these new policies, each person entering the studio will be required to sign a COVID-19 Waiver prior to production and complete a daily questionnaire.
Additional Resources:
APA Coronavirus Resource Hub
SF Film Commission Permitting Info
AICP COVID-19 Workplace Guidelines
AICP Department-Specific COVID-19 Guidelines
San Francisco Department of Pubic Health
SF Government COVID-19 Services
SF Muni Service Plan
SF Office of the Mayor
California Department of Public Health
CDC COVID-19 Information
World Health Organization COVID-19 Pandemic Information