Films and TV serial producers can finally start breathing a sigh of relief. The Maharashtra government announced the resuming of shooting activities in non containment zones on Sunday. This comes amid the state relaxation measures the state will start in June.
The Cultural Affairs Ministry released a Government Resolution (GR) which states that the producers will have to start work as per the strict guidelines of the government. One of the lines in the resolution read “Violation of the rules will lead to stopping of the work.”
There are strict social distancing and personal hygeine norms which the guidelines state and which all the film crew have to follow while doing the work. As per the ‘Indian Express’, the guidelines further include maintaining 33 per cent crew (which will not include the main cast) on set, all staff members to carry identification cards and Aarogya Setu app downloaded on their compatible devices.
To ensure minimum touching of doors and gates, security guards will be deployed to guard them all the times and masks are going to be a compulsory feature for the film crew. A minimum distance of 6 feet between the members is another important rule the guidelines state.
Since health and safety are the utmost priority for everyone currently, a medical team on film sets is necessary too from now on. Every worker and film casts temperature will be monitored daily. Pregnant female workers and those above the age of 65 not allowed on set.
The industry thanked the state for this decision, with producer Ekta Kapoor tweeting
Would like to express my sincerest gratitude to the honourable @CMOMaharashtra UddhavJi, for considering our requests to begin work in a phased out manner by easing restrictions on films and television shooting. (1/2)
— Ektaa R Kapoor (@EktaaRKapoor) May 31, 2020
The state though has extended the lockdown in containment zones till June 30.