As part of Phase 3 of its reopening plan, the province is making a big push for its film industry to return with COVID-19 health guidelines in place.
However, Premier John Horgan says there will be no modifications to the 14-day quarantine requirements for anyone who comes into British Columbia to work in the film industry.
“Productions that are underway in B.C. will make their choices about how they are going to proceed,” Horgan said Wednesday. “But I would say that compared to Hollywood, Hollywood North is looking pretty good on the health front.
“We do have extraordinary talent here, unprecedented vistas and scenery, as well as studio capacity to meet the needs of many, many productions.”
He says B.C. has numerous people able to work in movies and T.V., noting that the big issue for many productions is likely ‘the front-of-camera personnel coming to British Columbia’ and the need for them to quarantine.
“Certainly after a 14 day quarantine period, they can be shooting at their leisure [as long as they follow WorkSafeBC guidelines], and I would encourage them to get started,” he added. “I know that I’m running out of things to watch on Netflix and new content would be good.”
“I also know that the jobs that are connected to the industry are critically important in British Columbia, but we are only going to do it, if its safe to do so.”
Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry too noted there won’t be modifications to B.C. quarantine requirements.
“My overriding concern has been and will be making sure that all the safety protocols that we need to protect our communities here in B.C. remain in place,” she said. “We will look at everything as it comes across but the overriding concern is the safety factor.”
Horgan noted that ‘quarantine bubbles’ for people coming into the province as is being proposed to the NHL in the hopes of seeing Vancouver named as a hub city does not apply to the film industry.
“The NHL proposal was going to be a group of people in one place, as opposed to the film industry, which is dispersed right around British Columbia and has domestic staff that would still be part of any production that takes place here,” Horgan said.
And as restrictions are gradually eased, Horgan is optimistic that B.C.’s film industry will enjoy a successful summer as it comes back from its COVID-19 related shutdown.
“We have skilled workers. They understand the sector, they know what’s required,” said Horgan.
“Producers come to British Columbia – the third largest film production location in North America after L.A. and New York. Certainly in California, they’ve seen a significant spike in cases and I think that again makes British Columbia look very appealing to producers.”
