Is Your Film Or TV Set Following The Latest Regulations To Remain Covid-19 Compliant?
Did you know that last month the regulations set by the Government (MHRA – Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) have changed? COVID-19 tests must now meet a technical standard set by the MHRA and are no longer assessed based on test type.
Productions must be compliant with these new testing regulations to remain eligible for the Film & TV Production Restart Scheme.
Cignpost Diagnostics are authorised providers of PCR testing that meets the latest requirements and Britain’s most trusted testing provider.
As the largest COVID-19 testing provider for production in the UK working with some of the UK's best-known production teams, we know that when developing your plan of managing risk and keeping your cast and crew safe during and after filming, you need to be sure you have considered all necessary steps and precautions required of you and your team.
Having now worked on nearly 200 productions, we understand exactly what production companies need on every level, including the vital steps that are most often overlooked, sometimes with frustrating and often expensive consequences to a filming schedule.
Based on our work across major UK productions, we've put together a checklist of our Top 5 important steps to remember when implementing a testing programme for your production:
#1 Assign an appropriately-trained COVID-19 Health & Safety Supervisor to the production - This may be a dedicated COVID-19 Manager, or an appropriately-trained crew member in a dual role. This H&S Supervisor should undertake a thorough risk assessment and report into the Producer.
#2 Develop a clear, easy-to-implement system for communication (and subsequent dissemination) of COVID-19 information - This should include remote pre-shoot briefings for cast and crew, site signage reminding crew of good practice and supplementary briefings to communicate any change in protocols as a result of changing guidance.
#3 Set out clear procedures of instances for non-compliance with COVID-19 safe working - This should include a standardised, immediately implementable procedure should cast or crew not adhere to required COVID-19 safe practice, as well as management of risk in such a situation.
#4 Conduct daily COVID-19 symptom checks with cast and crew - You must ensure that all symptom-checking recorded complies with GDPR and have a response plan in place should a crew member show COVID-19 symptoms.
#5 Where social distancing is unfeasible, hire an on-site COVID-19 testing provider - Make sure they can react quickly and flexibly to any changes in test numbers and schedule, as well as turning tests around quickly; you should expect results within just a few hours.
If you think you require help from a COVID-19 company specialising in the world of TV and film for an upcoming shoot, we'd love to speak to you this week. We offer an affordable, fast and efficient testing process on-site, including mobile laboratories, and can even help productions with accessing the UK Production Restart Scheme for help with funding to cover your costs.
Would you like us to put together a proposal for your next production? Get in touch with us today. www.cignpostdiagnostics.com/contact