RESPONSIBILITY, COMPLIANCE AND A CAREFUL RESTART

Tools, links and resources regarding compliant restart for employers are all provided below.

Creative BC offers this
Two-Page Overview with FAQ’s and a Visual Guide
 

PROTOCOLS FOR MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY RELEASED TODAY BY WORKSAFEBC (WSBC)     

WorkSafeBC Health & Safety Protocols for the motion picture industry have now been published as of June 5, 2020.

• WHY: The WSBC Health & Safety Protocols for Motion Picture establish minimum general requirements from a public health perspective for a safe return to operation within B.C.’s economy. The Protocols defined by WorkSafeBC are similar to those published for other industries (such as agriculture, construction, childcare and restaurants).
• WHEN: Now. The Province and WorkSafe BC support any type of production to prepare and restart operations by creating and implementing a WorkSafeBC-compliant safety plan. This includes commercials, domestic and international production.
• HOW: Employers must develop and implement their own safety plans, and can use the WSBC COVID-19 Safety Plan as a helpful template. The WSBC Health & Safety Protocols for motion picture are a tool for supporting considerations and compliance. Actsafe Safety Association is a resource for consultation, expertise and guidance for employers.

NOTES AT THE TIME OF THIS NEWS BULLETIN:

GATHERINGS: The Provincial Health Office order on Mass Gatherings does not apply to the presence of workers at a workplace/worksite when engaged in their work activities. However, limiting the number of people in a workplace is an important way to ensure physical distancing is maintained. Stay current on the Provincial Health Office. Stay apprised of changes through the BC Centre for Disease Control Event Planning page and the Provincial Health Officer’s “Orders, Notices and Guidance“. 

BORDER:  Federal note: As restrictions are eased in provinces across Canada, and the film and television sector looks to resume production with new health and safety precautions in place, some cross-border travel will need to resume, in order for key film and TV production workers, such as actors and directors, to perform their work. As of June 5, 2020, the following points outline the current Government of Canada regulations for Foreign Nationals seeking entry into Canada for employment:

• VALID WORK PERMITS: Provided that they do not have symptoms of COVID-19 and that all other immigration admissibility criteria are met, travellers with valid or approved work permits will be permitted to travel (See links below for supporting documentation).
  • The type of work that is being done in Canada is not relevant for the purpose of determining whether travel is discretionary or non-discretionary. The CBSA has taken steps to ensure that this misconception is dispelled at the ports of entry.
     
• QUARANTINE REMAINS IN EFFECT: In accordance with the existing federal order by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), all travelers must quarantine for 14 days upon entering Canada (in this case British Columbia) and will need to submit in advance or present on arrival a “self isolation plan”. At this time, PHAC has not identified any alternatives to this measure.

Supporting tools:

• Vancouver Airport (YVR) FAQ during COVID-19 including information on the self-isolation plan
   
• Province of BC webpage about Self-Isolation on Return to BC (or arrival) – specifics on the self-isolation plan and PDF print-out of the online form

SUPPORTING FEDERAL REGULATORY DOCUMENTATION

• Prohibition of Entry from the USA – OIC 12   Ending on June 21, 2020
• Prohibition of Entry from a country other than the USA – OIC 7   Ending on June 30, 2020
• Mandatory self-isolation – OIC 10  Effective till June 30,2020

TESTING: Employers who wish to implement screening and testing measures – understanding that there are limitations to this approach, per Dr. Bonnie Henry, COVID-19 B.C. Update, June 2, 2020 / 6:22 – must comply with B.C. legal framework, (including but not limited to B.C. human rights, employment standards, applicable collective agreements, privacy law and existing and future Provincial Health Officer orders, notices and guidance).

INDUSTRY-CREATED GUIDELINES TO FOLLOW, MID-JUNE

BC Motion Picture Industry COVID-19 Best Practices Coalition, facilitated by Creative BC, is now writing industry-defined, government-reviewed Safety Guidelines.

• WHY: These Guidelines establish government/industry alignment. The Coalition brings an industry lens to common health and safety guidelines for all production activity in B.C. during COVID-19 (commercials, domestic and international).
• WHEN: This document is a collaborative resource (see Coalition participants) intended for publication in mid-June. Sign up to receive the Safety Guidelines, which will also be published to Creative BC’s website.
• HOW: As an employer in B.C.’s motion picture industry, employers can use these Guidelines to inform and enhance a production’s COVID-19 Safety Plan for careful restart to production.

Subcommittee Chairs of the Coalition will lead further consultations at the department level to deliver more detailed guidance: the “Pandemic Production Guide,” followed by “Department-Specific Guidance”. The Subcommittee Chairs represent CMPA-BC Producers’ Branch and the BC Council of Film Unions, working with the motion picture industry’s safety association, Actsafe.

• WHY: The Guide and Guidance are technical resources to support productions of all sizes with access to high quality, informative tools for workplace safety and to assist in reducing the risk of COVID-19 exposure and transmission in the workplace.
• WHEN: The Sub-Committee is working diligently to develop these tools. Sign up to receive the Coalition’s Safety Guidelines and receive the Guide and Guidance when ready.
• HOW: Employers can enhance their productions’ COVID-19 Safety Plan with these detailed and supportive resources.

Need more information? Contact filmcommission@creativebc.com