Prakash Javadekar announces new SOP for TV and film productions

Film and TV shoots are now allowed to resume all across the country. Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Prakash Javadekar, on Sunday (August 23) released a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that has to be followed while resuming the shoot of films and television shows.

"I am today very happy to announce that we are releasing the Standard Operating Procedure for film shooting and TV programmes shooting. In the last six months, the country saw a complete closure of this segment of the industry and a few states have allowed partial shootings. But today, we are laying the Standard Operating Procedure as per the international experience with the consultation of the Home Ministry and the Health ministry. This will be welcomed by everyone related to the film industry because this (the Industry) is an important aspect of the economy and employs millions of people. They were not getting jobs for the last four-five months. Therefore, we have issued this to facilitate the production activity to resume. I am very sure everyone will welcome this," Prakash Javadekar said in a video statement.

According to the SOP released, face masks are mandatory at all public and work places. The use of the Arogyaa Setu App has also been advised. Other



points included in the SOP are, the use of thermal screening at entry points, physical distancing of six feet at all times, crowd management, seating arrangement keeping social distancing in mind, temporary isolation of suspected cases, among others.

Visitors and audience will not be allowed on sets and there will be designated entry and exit points on shoot locations. The sets, makeup rooms, vanity vans, washrooms etc must also be sanitised.

Prakash Javadekar shared the SOP for resumption of film and TV shoots in a Twitter thread.

“Today @MIB_India have released a detailed SOP for resuming work in the media production industry. The general principles behind the SOP will help create a safe working environment for cast and crew in the industry (sic)," he wrote.

"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 (sic)," he added.

In another tweet, he wrote that '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 (sic)."