Hollywood Unions Reach Agreement With AMPTP Loosening Covid Protocols In Low-Hospitalization Areas

The Hollywood unions have reached an agreement with the AMPTP Management to change the Covid-19 protocols. In a statement, the unions said the new agreement “creates a more flexible set of protocols for areas of the United States and Canada where Covid hospitals are low, while keeping the key elements to keeping the kits safe.” Unions – SAG-AFTRA, DGA, IATSE, Teamsters and Basic Crafts – said the agreement was reached “with an ongoing commitment to the safety of solutions, crews and all personnel, taking into account the changing impact. of Covid-19 “.

The changes only apply to areas that have confirmed low hospitalization for Covid (such as Los Angeles), largely leaving lawsuits in areas with increasing access rates (potentially New York). This workplace practice applies to both vaccinated and unvaccinated actors and crew.

Test protocols are as follows: Pre-employment testing is still required for all crews, but changes to test types are permitted. Weekly tests will continue to be carried out on the production of zones A and B, but at a reduced frequency. Zones C and D require no testing beyond pre-employment. Zone A, where masked actors work, is the most restrictive protocol for safe work zones on sets.

Under the new guidelines, masks will not be required in most environments, with the exception of transport vans. Other changes include flexibility in the food service and shipping rules.

The following conditions of this contract are maintained:

Vaccinations: The new agreement extends employers’ right to instruct Zone staff to “retrieve” vaccinations, including boosters.

COVID-19 Compliance Officer: Hire a dedicated COVID-19 Compliance Officer, responsible for security and compliance, who will be available to cast and crew at any time during business hours.

Remuneration for Sick and Quarantine Leave: All employees will continue to take paid Covid leave for 10 days and the leave can be used for any Covid event such as positive tests, symptoms, isolation or self-quarantine, or when your family member is positive to the test. .

The agreement also allows employers to impose stricter requirements on masking and testing, as required by manufacturing circumstances.

The agreement will remain in effect until July 15, 2022. Unions have said they will continue to closely monitor the evolution of Covid and discuss further changes over time.

First promulgated in September 2020, after months of ceasing production, the unions said the Covid Safety Agreement “is the result of unprecedented coordination and solidarity between unions and the cooperation of employers to develop protocols. based on science that reduce the risk of Covid “. ”19 Transmission of the virus in a unique work environment in the industry. “Since then, the protocols have led to a successful relaunch of film and television production, prioritizing the safety of the actors, crew and all workers.”