SAG-AFTRA has officially recommended Hollywood films to halt production following the recent spike in COVID-19 cases. The holidays have caused a significant spike in coronavirus cases, specifically in California. Many TV shows have already halted production or postponed filming. CBS was the first to shut down production for its NCIS series and SEAL Team. Warner Bros also shut down production for Shameless and Mom. NBCUniversal followed suit shortly after shutting down production for Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Kenan, Mr. Mayor, and Good Girls. Universal Television has also halted production for HBO Max's Hacks, and Netflix's Never Have I Ever. More than two dozen TV productions have suspended production since.
Variety reports that SAG-AFTRA, the Producers Guild of America, and the Joint Policy Committee compiled a joint statement encouraging a “temporary hold on in-person production in Southern California” amid the rise in COVID-19 cases. In their combined statement, they urge films to halt productions until more hospital beds become available. They have urged actors who are members of SAG-AFTRA to stay at home and not accept any roles on set for the weeks to come. SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris explained the reasoning behind these groups' decisions in the joint statement.
“Southern California hospitals are facing a crisis the likes of which we have never seen before. Patients are dying in ambulances waiting for treatment because hospital emergency rooms are overwhelmed. This is not a safe environment for in-person production right now.”
This statement comes a month after health officials urge productions to shut down. SAG-AFTRA executive director David White stated that even though sets have been following CDC protocols regarding COVID-19, the lack of hospital beds is dangerous for film sets. Regardless of the pandemic, injuries happen more often than desired on films set. SAG-AFTRA fears that if an actor or crew member were in an emergency state on-set, there would not be enough hospital beds to accommodate them.
Source: Variety