COVID-19 Safety

What COVID-19 safety guidelines are in place for the Manitoba media production industry?

Manitoba’s media production industry is back at work, creating world-class content, while adhering to strict COVID-19 safety protocols on set. The sector is committed to being proactive and nimble when it comes to protecting its employees, and Manitobans in general. On Screen Manitoba maintains a COVID-19 Resource Page and works with all local stakeholders to communicate the latest public health orders and industry standards to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

All productions filming in Manitoba must adhere to provincial and federal public health orders and workplace guidelines. The Government of Manitoba introduced COVID-19 workplace safety guidelines with specific guidance for the film industry in Restoring Safe Services: Phase 2 (with an update in Phase 3 (link)). In addition, the On Screen Manitoba Producer Committee developed the Manitoba Media Production Industry COVID-19 Safety and Health Guide through researching best practices in other jurisdictions, interviews with crew and review by local industry stakeholders. The Guide is supplemental to the requirements stipulated by the Government of Manitoba to reduce the spread of COVID-19. It is intended to complement the government guidelines, while providing sector-specific protocols. Manitoba production companies have signed an agreement to adhere to this guide.

What are some examples of sector-specific COVID-19 safety protocols?

In addition to the COVID-19 safety requirements ordered by the Province of Manitoba (including mandatory face masks in indoor public spaces, physical distancing of two metres, and more), productions have implemented the following since June: mandatory non-medical face masks indoors and outdoors on set, on location, in the production office and other work sites; the provision of hand washing and/or sanitizing options in each workspace; the cleaning and sanitizing of surfaces and objects with Health Canada-approved disinfectant at regular intervals throughout the day – and whenever objects are used; the daily completion of COVID-19 health screening questionnaires by all workers; the division of crew, contractors, actors and other employees into pods or cohorts; and in some cases regular cast and crew COVID-19 testing.

What about people who travel to Manitoba to work in production?

Productions must follow the Government of Canada and the Government of Manitoba public health orders regarding travel. Anyone entering Manitoba from an international destination must self-isolate for 14 days. Self-isolation must be completed before the person can attend the work site. Travellers from within Canada, but outside Manitoba, must adhere to the provincial protocols for self-isolation at the time of travel. All employers, employees, contractor workers including all crew, subjects, performers and background performers as well as visitors must complete COVID-19 health screening questionnaires upon arrival at the work site.