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The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is asking the film industry to “seriously consider” the pause in production for a few weeks due to the increase in COVID-19 cases. In an e-mail sent to industry contacts on December 24, published by FilmLA, the official city and county film office, the department has recommended shutting down operations for now. “While music, TV and film production is allowed to operate, we ask that you strongly consider taking a break from work for a few weeks during this catastrophic increase in COVID cases,” wrote LADPH. “Identify and postpone high-risk activities and focus on low-risk work for now, if possible.” He also warned that traveling for production purposes “is currently not advisable” as it can make it “more likely that people will end up together in vehicles or indoors in less controlled environments”. Tom Cruise, are you reading this?
The health alert arrives while Los Angeles County reports 13,661 new daily cases of COVID-19 and 73 new deaths. On December 23, California became the first state to overcome 2 million COVID-19 cases, resulting in crowded hospitals even during the state’s stay request. An official announcement by the governor of California, Gavin Newsom, about the extension of home stay requests is expected on Tuesday.