- TimeJump Media
New Zealand Safe Filming Protocols; shooting to resume
Updated: May 18
Screen Safe New Zealand has released its standard and protocols for safe sets and resuming film production. 'Avatar' sequels and 'The Lord of the Rings' series are soon to resume filming. These are works in progress. For the latest information, visit the ScreenSafe New Zealand COVID-19 website.
Deadline reports that halted productions in New Zealand will soon be able to resume, after being sidelined by the coronavirus pandemic for weeks. The island nation's health and safety production protocols have been endorsed by the national government.
Download the PDFs
Health and Safety COVID 19 Documentation for Production Companies
The ScreenSafe Health and Safety Covid-19 Standard and the ScreenSafe Health and Safety Covid-19 Protocols.*These two documents need to be read and utilised together.
ScreenSafe COVID-19 Standards ScreenSafe
ScreenSafe COVID-19 Protocols_V11-WSNZe
IMPORTANT POINTS
Protect Yourself and Others – avoid close contact, cover coughs and sneezes, wash hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.
Stay home if unwell or have a temperature of 38+.
If you have arrived from overseas after 1am on the 16th March 2020 you are required to self-isolate for two weeks.
Gatherings of 500 or more people are cancelled until further notice.
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
Healthline Team
0800 358 5453 – if you have arrived from overseas and develop a fever, cough or shortness of breath.
Government Helpline
0800 779 997 – if you are unsure what support is available, don’t know who to contact for help or would like more information.
Please note – these documents have been endorsed by WorkSafe and can be used by the Screen Sector as minimum standards and guidelines for planning your return to work and return to shooting.
To be clear – each Production Company and Production can draw on these documents, but must create their own individualised Health and Safety Plan and Site plans that are particular and unique to their requirements and to each site on which they intend to shoot.
The Protocols in particular must be viewed as a living document – they have been developed to support and assist you in eliminating or minimising the risk of exposure for all personnel to Covid-19, and in meeting your obligations under the Health and Safety Workplace Act 2015 – however, each Production Company and PCBU must have their own procedures in place to manage this risk, and must work to continually assess and manage the risk of infection transmission, both across the production and at an individual level.
The Protocols will be reviewed regularly as all PCBU’s assess and manage their operations and how these protocols work in practice, from crew to talent to producers.
Each production will be required to register with ScreenSafe – please read about these requirements carefully in the Protocols.
The website for registration is www.screensafe.co.nz/covid19/registration
Please also note – we are still working on the rest of the full Toolkit – from Posters to Resource Links, as well as detailed breakdowns per Department.
*WorkSafe New Zealand has assessed this guidance and is satisfied that it meets their expectations for management of COVID-19-related risks in the workplace.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION on Coronavirus
New Zealand Government Information
https://www.govt.nz/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/ and https://covid19.govt.nz/
Ministry of Health Information
https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus
Safetravel Information
https://safetravel.govt.nz/covid-19-coronavirus
Ministry of Education Information also provides links to information in other languages from the Ministry of Health.
http://www.education.govt.nz/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-3/
SPADA
http://www.spada.co.nz/news-events/covid-19-update-for-nz-producers/
Your Mental Health and Financial Well-being
Mental Health
Safe To Talk https://1737.org.nz/about/index.html
New Zealand’s national mental health helpline. It is free to text or call this number 1737 anytime to talk with a trained counsellor.
Financial Stress
This takes you to a pdf that discusses financial stress and lists contact information for various support groups and agencies.
https://www.mentalhealth..nz/assets/ResourceFinder/coping-with-financial-stress.pdf
WINZ – Accessing the Covid-19 Wage Subsidy for the Screen Sector
If you’ve been affected by COVID-19, WINZ may be able to provide financial support. You may be self-isolating at home, or your work may be affected.
This is the fact sheet for financial support as announced by the NZ Government on Tuesday 17th March.
This takes you to the form for financial support as announced by the NZ Government on Tuesday 17th March.
https://services.workandincome.govt.nz/ess/trader_applications/new
https://workandincome.govt.nz/eligibility/emergencies/2020/coronavirus.html