New Zealand approves protocols for production to resume

New Zealand closed its borders on 15 March and has been widely praised for its swift response to the Covid-19 crisis 

By Nia Daniels 11 May 2020

New Zealand approves protocols for production to resume
The Meg image by Daniel Smith © 2016 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and RatPac-Dune Entertainment

The New Zealand government agency WorkSafe has endorsed the screen industry’s COVID-19 Health and Safety Standard and Protocols, clearing the way for production to resume.

Funded by the New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC), the Standard and Protocols were developed by ScreenSafe, with a team of industry experts.

The document provides guidance on the principles of safe production and offers an outline on resources ands systems available to ensure safe working conditions in New Zealand. The full ScreenSafe COVID-19 Health and Safety Production Toolkit will include more detailed scenarios, templates and contacts, and will be finalised soon.

Making the announcement, NZFC CEO Annabelle Sheehan, said: “The NZFC’s focus and commitment since the industry hiatus, has been the health and safety of all those who work in the New Zealand film industry and the ongoing sustainability of the wider screen sector.

“We are heartened and grateful for the commitment and partnership of the Guilds who have worked to get this document completed so quickly.”

Every production in New Zealand is required to complete a simple registration with ScreenSafe in order to assist the Ministry of Health with contact tracing if needed and WorkSafe with monitoring.

Some local productions are already underway in New Zealand; it is expected that the newly-endorsed protocols will pave the way for co-productions and international productions once the New Zealand government has reviewed border restrictions.

The Meg image by Daniel Smith - © 2016 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and RatPac-Dune Entertainment LLC.

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