The central government has finally released SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) to resume the shootings of films and TV shows during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Incidentally, several state governments had already given permission at a local level, depending on the severity of the pandemic; however, it’s only now that the Centre has stepped in with official guidelines to resume shoots at a national level.
Prakash Javadekar, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister, announced the SOPs on Sunday, August 23, and said that they were finalised after consulting the health and home ministries. Physical distancing and contact minimisation at the centre of these SOPs, and the guidelines clearly state that except for those facing the camera, everyone else has to wear masks, face covers. Also, the centre has recommended thermal screening, separate entry and exit points, and physical distancing of 6 feet at all times.
Meanwhile, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh governments have already given permission to Telugu film industry and TV industries to resume their shoots; however, most of the big productions are yet to take off. With the centre finally allowing film shoots, everyone is waiting to see if cinema halls too will be allowed to open soon.