Broad has been the uncertainty caused by the sanitary crisis arosen from the COVID-19 pandemic, with the cultural industry being one of the most affected.
In the context of the “Paso-a-Paso” Plan announced by the Government of Chile in August 2020 to face the process of de-escalation of confinement, the Ministry of Health, together with the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage, approved various specific Protocols for the management and prevention of Covid-19, to address the continuity of activities in the de-escalation of confinement, in an industry particularly affected by the pandemic.
The document, prepared jointly by the National Union of Film and Audiovisual Professionals and Technicians (SINTECI), the Union of Actors and Actresses of Chile (Sidarte), the Association of Film and Television Producers (APCT), the Association of Production Companies Advertising Cinema of Chile (UNIÓN), the Association of Documentalists of Chile (ADOC) and the Association of Independent Producers of Chile (API), highlights, apart from mandatory preventive government measures, specific measures applicable to workers in the audiovisual industry, and it is celebrated by the Ministry, as a collaborative initiative for the elaboration of management protocols, from, by and for the members of the industry.
Thus, by accessing the website http://cultura.gob.cl/paso-a-paso/ the Ministry of Cultures proposes a “gradual strategy” to address the return to activities in the various areas whose activity has been affected.
That way, they contemplate special protocols for the cultural industry, with specific emphasis in areas such as:
- Independent cinemas, theaters and similar venues
- Museums, cultural centers, art galleries and similar places
- Recordings
Emphasis is also placed on the adoption and management of protocols of action, in order to establish measures, the step-by-step protocol to return to labor activities, other protocols, as well as the measures, and the necessary management to address de-escalation in a responsible manner.
Specific recommendations are made for the industry, such as:
- Remote work: particularly for pre and post production processes, trying to avoid face-to-face meetings, and in the case of the latter, taking the mandatory preventive measures (use of masks, maintaining a safe distance, the use of gels and sanitizing solutions, among others).
- Prevention in facilities and Set: emphasizing the mandatory use of masks and contemplating measures for those situations in which they cannot be used, as it occurs in recordings, the conditions applicable to filming or recording in closed environments.
- Shootings: only technical and artistic teams are authorized to be present in the place, and cleaning and hygiene materials and supplies must be kept accessible at all times.
- Regarding Locations: instructions are given regarding technical scouting, transport prevention, hygiene management and social distancing. Emphasis is placed on the need to try to keep the hygiene and cleaness of the spaces to be used, and particularly, in those with the greater afluency of people, such as access and exit points, food areas, and other common spaces.
- In terms of Atmosphere, props and costumes
- Regarding makeup, hairstyle
- Specifications regarding food and catering: the applicable protocols for the delivery of food and the necessary control measures for the prevention, handling and traceability of potential infections are specified.
- In connection to workers
- In connection to external providers
For more information and to download the various documents, protocols and files, visit http://cultura.gob.cl/paso-a-paso/ or https://www.gob.cl/pasoapaso/.
At Creativelaw we are aware of the national and international audiovisual legal news. If you have questions regarding the applicable regulations or protocols, have doubts or require advice in connection to the cultural or entertainment industry, do not hesitate to contact us.
