Pact, ITV, BBC, Sky, Channel 4, Channel 5, STV, ITN, and the Association for Commercial Broadcasters and On-Demand Services (COBA) joined forces to introduce new industry wide guidelines for producing television safely during the Coronavirus pandemic.

The latest version of the guidance is the Living with COVID Guidance (published 28th March 2022), which can be downloaded here.

The BFC document is intended to provide high-level guidance to manage COVID-19 specific risk in producing film and high-end TV drama in the UK. In the case of high-end TV drama productions, the BFC guidance should be considered alongside the broadcaster guidance above.

The BFC guidance document can be downloaded here.

April 2022 update: Pact has received the following clarifications from DCMS:
    
Now that it is no longer a legal requirement to self-isolate with Covid-19, will the Restart Scheme cover my claim?
 
Between 24th February and 1st April 2022, guidance in England advised people with Covid-19 to stay at home and avoid contact with others. Those unable to work from home were advised to talk to their employer. Since 1st April 2022, guidance in England advises people with Covid-19 or respiratory infection symptoms to try to stay at home, avoid contact with other people and work from home if they can until they no longer have a high temperature (if they had one) or until they no longer feel unwell. People unable to work from home are advised to talk to their employer.

People with a positive Covid-19 test result are advised to try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for five days after the day they took the test, and try to stay home after the end of this period if they continue to have a high temperature or feel unwell, until they feel well enough to resume normal activities and no longer have a high temperature, if they had one. They are advised to talk to their employer if they are unable to work from home. Cast losses resulting from cast and crew members being unable to work due to an illness resulting from Covid-19 will continue to be recoverable, subject to the usual mitigation and eligibility requirements, as set out in the Scheme Rules. 
 

Will the scheme cover losses arising from isolating an individual who tests positive for Covid-19 but is asymptomatic, in order to protect a person at greater risk of serious illness from Covid-19? 
 
Since 1st April 2022, guidance in England advises that people with a positive Covid-19 test result should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for five days after the day they took the test and talk to their employer if they are unable to work from home. Any losses a production company incurs from Covid-19 relating to the above scenario is likely to be an eligible loss under the Scheme Rules under Civil Authority Limb (B), subject to the usual mitigation and eligibility requirements, as set out in the Scheme Rules. Any incurred losses in cases where the asymptomatic case is not identified by a test are not likely to be eligible.

First Option Safety Consultants have published an online tool designed to help you navigate the complexities of workplace COVID-19 testing. It's not just a question of 'which test', there are legal complexities relating to COVID-19 testing too. As you answer the questions, the tool will give you your options.

Visit the tool here.

This guidance has now been withdrawn. Read more here.

This is a historic document but may be relevant when considering how to mitigate risk amongst those who work very closely together. The document can be downloaded here.

The Pact COVID-19 Production Restart Bible was first published in 2020 to help producers to prepare and deal with the implications of COVID-19 on their productions and/or businesses.

This is a historic document but may be relevant when considering how to mitigate risk. Download the COVID-19 Production Restart Bible via the Resource Library here.

With Equity we have compiled guidance in relation to TV productions filming during COVID. The document sets out those terms agreed between our organisations in relation to self-isolation, testing and force majeure.

You can download the guidance note from the Pact Resource Library here.

All film and TV industry guidance should also be read in conjunction with the latest UK Government guidance. Productions based in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales should additionally check for relevant devolved Government guidance, as it may differ.

On 1st April 2022 the UK Government published guidance for employers: Public health principles for reducing the spread of respiratory infections, including COVID-19, in the workplace.

Those travelling abroad from England may want to check the Government's guidance, which can be found here.

On the Pact Growth Accelerator*, Pact members can find guidance documents from 40+ territories explaining the situation for production in different countries and how to create production protocols using the relevant guidelines. Whilst we are regularly updating the information on this page, it is advisable to double check the latest COVID guidance information on the Government website of any country you are planning to visit.

*Not registered on the Pact Growth Accelerator? It's our tailor-made online tool, free and exclusively available for Pact members. All you have to do to start using it is register here.