UK culture secretary Oliver Dowden has confirmed that film and TV production in England can continue despite the new four-week Covid-19 lockdown announced by prime minister Boris Johnson today (October 31).
On Twitter, Dowden said: “The changes mean people should WFH [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.”
He added that DCMS officials and ministers will be updating with more detail for specific sectors in the coming days.
BFI CEO Ben Roberts confirmed: ”Covid-secure Film & TV production is permitted under the new guidelines.”
The UK is currently host to several major Hollywood productions, including Warner Bros’ The Batman and Universal’s Jurassic World: Dominion.
Cinemas
However, as expected cinemas, along with other entertainment venues such as theatres, concert halls and galleries, have been ordered to close by the government.
Cinemas in Italy, France and Germany were ordered to close by their respective governments last week.
The new measures will come into effect from Thursday November 5 and last until December 2, whereby regions will revert back to the previous tiered system.
The lockdown does not apply to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, which have separate Covid-19 restrictions.
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