Following the Prime Minister’s announcement of further national restrictions to operate throughout England from Thursday 5th November, the Secretary of State for DCMS has confirmed that ‘The changes mean people should work from home where possible. But where this is not possible, travel to a place of work will be permitted – e.g. this includes (but not exhaustive) elite sport played behind closed doors, film & tv production, telecoms workers’. Therefore, both the British Film Commission and Creative England are advising that Covid-secure film and TV production operating under BFC or Broadcaster Guidance can continue in England under the new restrictions.
Responding to the Government’s announcement, Adrian Wootton OBE, Chief Executive of the British Film Commission, said: “Despite the extraordinary and difficult circumstances surrounding this second national lockdown, it’s a great relief to see confirmation from the Culture Secretary that we have Government’s support to continue film and TV production in the UK during lockdown, so long as productions are safely working within the extremely rigorous and comprehensive COVID safety guidance prepared by the British Film Commission, developed in liaison with Government and industry.”
Production continues at The Bottle Yard Studios, with crews and tenant business following the Studios’ Covid-19 Site Operating Procedures. Bristol Film Office continues to permit Covid-secure filming on location in Bristol and is considering permit applications on a case-by-case basis. Visit the Bristol Film Office website for the latest guidance, including their COVID-19 Action List with information about measures productions should take to protect public safety when working on location in Bristol.
For more industry guidance, visit Creative England’s Covid-19 Production Guidance.