Union information and broadcasting minister Prakash Javadekar has now announced that all film shooting can be resumed with proper safety protocols. After consultation with the home ministry and the health ministry, a standard operating procedure (SOP) has been firmed up. All film shoot has been on hold since March 25th and finally, the producers have some good news to be happy. The Central Government have released a detailed SOP for resuming work in the media production industry. The general principles behind the SOP will help create a safe working environment for cast and crew in the industry. The SOP ensures adequate distancing at shoot locations and other work places and contains measures including proper sanitization, crowd management and provision for protective equipments. 'Contact Minimisation' is at the core of the SOP. This will be ensured by minimal physical contact and sharing of props, PPEs for hair stylists and make-up artists among others. Here is the list of do’s and don’t's:
 
• Higher risk employees to take extra precautions, preferably not be exposed to frontline work requiring contact with public  
• Face masks mandatory at all public and work places  
• Frequent hand washing to be practiced, provision of hand sanitizer at entry and in work areas Spitting strictly prohibited  
• Respiratory etiquette to be strictly followed  
• Use of Arogya setu app shall be advised  
• Thermal screening at entry points, only asymptomatic persons allowed on-premises  
• Physical distancing of 6 feet at all times as far as feasible  
• Crowd management in parking lots and outside premises ensuring distancing  
• Specific markings with sufficient distance to manage queues in premises  
• Provision for posters/standees/AV media for display of COVID-19 preventive measures  
• Seating arrangement with social distancing  
• No contact transaction for tickets etc using online bookings, e-wallets, OR code scanners  
• Frequent sanitisation of workplace, common facilities  
• Disinfection of premises if any person found positive  
• Self-monitoring of health by all and reporting of illness at the earliest  
• Temporary isolation of any suspect cases 
• 6-feet physical distancing at shoot locations, recording studios, editing rooms etc  
• Scenes, sequences, camera locations, crew position, seating, catering to follow distancing  
• Minimum cast and crew during shoot  
• Visitors/audience not allowed on sets   
• Coordination with local authorities to manage spectators during outdoor shoots  
• Resting/Stay-over facilities to ensure physical distancing  
• Staggered call and pack-up timings for different production units at studios with multiple sets  
• Designated entry and exit points for shoot locations  
• Regular sanitisation of sets, make-up rooms, vanity vans, washrooms etc  
• Adequate provisions for gloves, boots, masks, PPE etc 
• Face covers/masks mandatory for cast and crew, except for actors in front of camera  
• Sharing of costumes, wigs, makeup items etc to be kept at minimum 
• Make-up artists, hair stylists to use PPE 
• Persons handling shared equipment to wear gloves  
• Lapel mics may be avoided and never shared  
• Direct contact with diaphragm of mics to be avoided  
• Minimize use of props, sanitization of props before use