Why COVID-19 Safety Protocols Are Here to Stay on Hollywood Sets – For Now
While COVID-19 vaccines are becoming widely available and California Gov. Gavin Newsom has set a goal to end most COVID-19 business regulations by mid-June, Hollywood’s guilds and studios aren’t expected to start phasing out industry safety protocols. Since film and TV shoots resumed last September after months on pause, they have operated under a “Return-to-Work Agreement” made between the guilds and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents the studios in all labor discussions. That agreement, which has a scheduled April 30 expiration date, codified safety protocols compiled by the unions in the “Safe Way Forward” report after weeks of discussions with epidemiologists and provided worker protections, such as a guaranteed 10 days of sick leave for any worker who tests positive. As part of the agreement, the two sides scheduled a new round of meetings set for this month to determine their effectiveness and whether an extension of the expiration date would be necessary. Sources tell TheWrap that few changes, if any, are expected to come out of these talks and both sides are expected to extend the Return-to-Work Agreement at least through the summer. Also Read: Is ViacomCBS 'Blowing Smoke' on Diversity as 4...
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