Amid an increase in COVID-19 cases and just hours after state officials said the home stay order for Southern California will remain in effect indefinitely, SAG-AFTRA told members Tuesday night that ” the majority “of film and TV productions will remain on hiatus until at least mid-January.
Across the Los Angeles area, hospitals are zero-capacity with full ICUs, with some reporting that they have had to turn gift stores into makeshift rooms and even lay off patients. And at least 5 hospitals in the area are reporting problems with oxygen delivery to patients due to the huge increase in demand caused by a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases.
These realities were cited by SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris and National Executive Director David White in a letter to members on Tuesday night, posted on the guild’s website. “This is deeply worrying for all of us and we take immediate steps to contact our epidemiologists and public health experts about the increase in cities across the country,” they wrote.
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“Most entertainment productions will remain on a hiatus until the second or third week of January, if not later. This means that the number of member artists working in groups is now reduced. Our security protocols ensure adequate precautions for the holiday hiatus, including additional time for testing before resuming production, ”the letter continued.
Carteris and White said that SAG-AFTRA is “in close contact with our unions and sister associations, the industry, our specialist epidemiologists, industrial sanitation specialists, public health officials, member leaders and staff” to ensure working conditions safe for members when work is resumed.
The letter also urges members to “remain vigilant and adhere to safety principles”, including the universal use of masks and hygienic practices, such as washing hands.
Read the full letter below:
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We are writing to inform you that we are closely monitoring the recent increase in COVID-19 infections, along with the reported shortage of beds in intensive care units (ICUs) across the state of California and particularly in County Los Angeles. This is deeply worrying for all of us and we take immediate steps to contact our epidemiologists and public health experts regarding the increase in cities across the country.
Most entertainment productions will remain on hiatus until the second or third week of January, if not later. This means that the number of member artists working in groups is now reduced. Our security protocols ensure adequate precautions for the holiday hiatus, including additional testing time before resuming production.
To ensure maximum security, we are in close contact with our sister unions and associations, the industry, our specialist epidemiologists, industrial sanitation specialists, public health officials, member leaders and staff. We remain focused on ensuring the safest working environment and protocols possible for SAG-AFTRA members.
We will continue to monitor this situation and its impact on production and employment in all contract areas and will take appropriate measures as necessary to ensure the continued safety of our members and others.
In the meantime, we ask everyone to remain vigilant and follow safety principles to protect themselves, their families, communities and colleagues. Always wear your masks, maintain a safe physical distance, wash your hands frequently and follow public health recommendations to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. To remember how you can help stop the spread of COVID-19, see the SAG-AFTRA security tips. Thank you for staying safe and taking steps to protect yourself and others during this pandemic. Keep monitoring your emails for updates in the coming days and weeks.
Wishing you and yours a safe and happy New Year.
In the unit,
Gabrielle Carteris SAG-AFTRA President
David White SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director