Health Officials: Film Industry Should 'Strongly Consider' Hiatus

LOS ANGELES, CA — Although film activity (following social distancing guidelines) is currently allowed in Los Angeles County, the sharp upswing in cases and deaths has health officials asking the movie industry to slow down. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health sent a letter to film industry members, asking them to pause work for at least a few weeks.

“Although music, TV and film productions are allowed to operate, we ask you to strongly consider pausing work for a few weeks during this catastrophic surge in COVID cases," LADPH said. "Identify and delay higher risk activities, and focus on lower-risk work for now, if at all possible.”

The letter also took note of travel and quarantine requirements, saying “travel for production purposes is currently not advised.” Although work-related travel is still allowed, LADPH said it increases coronavirus risk “by making it more likely that people will end up together in vehicles or indoors in less-controlled settings.”

LADPH pointed to the jam-packed hospitals as evidence that more action must be done to slow the surge.

It remains to be seen if the letter will have any impact on the current production schedule. Recently, health officials decision to continue to allow filming was brought into question by a Sherman Oaks restaurant owner who noted how a production was allowed to continue outdoor dining while her own patio was shuttered.

"How can you tell me that this is dangerous, but right next to me... that's safe?" she asks. "Mayor Garcetti and Gavin Newsom is responsible for every single person that doesn't have unemployment, that doesn't have a job, and all the businesses that are going under. We need somebody to do something about this."

City News Service contributed to this report.