The following production status shows some of the countries where it’s possible to shoot under their respective safety & security protocols during COVID-19. Those measures change gradually and some of these countries begin to allow the staggered entry of other nations. To summarize only some general measures:
Minimum crew depending on each protocol / minimum use of talent in some countries/ pre-approved back up for each crew-cast member in cae of necessary / respect for distances between people / more set-up time with fewer participants / use of masks & gloves for everyone on set / Easy access to soap & sanitizer spaces / floors & disinfected surfaces every 2 (two) hours / temperature monitoring on set for all participants under medical supervision / special regulations of catering service and use of individual bottles / transportation of team in separate vans.
In the last months our offices have been filming projects in Uruguay, as the country already has a heatlh & safety protocol signed by all the unions and the Ministry of Labour. Uruguay is enabled to shoot both in studio and private locations as well as in public spaces and streets.
The entrance to the country is allowed by submitting a special permit request for audiovisual work reasons -which takes approximately 15 days- and with the project already approved. It is also necessary a test 72 hours before leaving the country of origin, a test upon arrival in Uruguay (day 0) and a test on the seventh day of stay in Uruguay. If on day 8 the 3 tests were negative, the quarantine is considered finished and the participants can then be out in the streets.
Shoot via streaming for agency and client from abroad with permanent contact so they can see and comment on what is being shot / productions with few talent, simple lighting and art in order to reduce risk / filming with reduced crew depending on the project (50 people in total) and respecting distances of 1.5 meters / ventilated transport for all areas, respecting the distances and using all latex gloves and face masks / disinfection before and after of the set and all the elements present / casting in the first instance will be from their own homes and callback stage will be via streaming or video call / recommendation of scenes with few talents and respecting the regulatory distances / during the wardrobe test there can only be two people from wardrobe in presence / shooting in studios or exteriors or spacious interiors, controlling hygiene and ventilation permanently / before the shoot a doctor will establish individual contact with the participants in a private and confidential way to evaluate the convenience or not of their presence on the set / individually packaged food / lunch breaks will be respecting the regulatory distance and ventilation.
In Chile quarantine has been eliminated in several communes of Santiago. Minimum studio filming and private locations with no more than 30 people in total are allowed and it is estimated that in some weeks the permits to film in some exteriors will resume. When the entry of foreign travelers is allowed, the requirement of 14 days of quarantine is foreseen. The hygiene and safety protocol to be followed implies, among others, the following production guidelines:
Remote filming via streaming is considered, since the borders are closed for non-residents until further decisions by government authorities / reduced national flights / providers available to work / there is a curfew from 10 pm to 5 am / future filming on location will have to be analyzed / as in all cases shooting is under local regulations / disinfection of all tools and work spaces before and after filming / individual transport of more than two people per car / previously packaged and individual catering service / use of suits and masks / body temperature test when entering and leaving the set / hand washing and use of gel alcohol every 2 hours / respect for distance between people / sets of not many people and separate spaces for stand by.
Live productions with small crew on location and in the studio are allowed. Casting as limited as possible, following a strict protocol to minimize risk. Foreign travel, closed.
Live action filming allowed with no limit of cast & crew (max. around 100) but it is advised to keep it as small as possible. Public location permits may take more than usual to be approved. Foreign travel is permtted for EU citizens with Negative COVID-19 test no older than 4 days when entering the country to avoid 14 day quarantine.
Shoot is allowed. Medium scale productions with protocol’s restrictions. 15 max of cast and crew is advised.
Live productions in studios, backlots and private and public locations, following the protocol. Some European countries will already have permitted entrance to Bulgaria and may have to stay in 14 days quarantine upon arrival in the country. It is expacted that quarentine will be lifted by mid July.
In Canada, restrictions differ between Provinces. Depending on each province live shoots are allowed with a mx crew / cast of 50, following protocols and with an on set coordinator for helth and safety guidelines. Canadian citizens coming from USA are allowed to enter and must do a 14 day quarantine. The entrance for other countries may open from August 21st on.
Live action shoots on locations and studios for clients around the world is allowed, following the appropriate protocols. For the moment, foreign travel remains closed, unless special permit / visa is issued.
In Costa Rica it is allowed shooting in indoors and outdoors locations as well as studios, following hygiene and safety protocols, with special limitations in parks and beaches. At the moment there are 5 flights per week from UK, EU and Canada. Entry requires a negative COVID-19 test 48 hours before arrival, in addition to filling out a form and having international travel insurance, among some other requirements.
Shoots allowed with max 40 Cast and Crew, though it is advised to keep it as small as possible. Participants must sign a statement with information of their last travels, if they have been in high risk countries or with contacts that have been infected by COVID-19. Foreign travel permitted with Negative COVID-19 test.
Unlimited cast & crew. All crew temperature is tested before entering the set. Locations are analyzed depending on the project but there would be no limit. In addition to studio shoots. Entrance permissions of almost all European countries and USA. Red zones countries may require COVID-19 test when arriving.
In Finland, gatherings are limited to 10 people, however restrictions are slowly being lifted. Currently live production is able to move forward with restrictions.
Small shoots allowed with max crew of 50 people initially in studio or private locations. Public locations subject to particular analysis in each case. APFP protocol already presented with guidelines. Foreign travel open to EU, Japan, Australia, Uruguay and China, among others. Closed to red zone countries.
Live productions allowed normally under protocols, with crew max 50 in studio or locations. Foreign travel open to EU while other countries require negative COVID-19 test.
Live actions shoots are possible. Limit of Cast & Crew varies. Foreign travel open for some countries.
Live productions in studios, backlots and private locations are allowed, plus public spaces upon previous revision and permit, always following the health and safety protocol. No Cast and Crew limit but it is advised to keep it as small as possible. Open to EU with double Negative COVID-19 test. Other selected countries require 14 day quarantine.
Live action shoots are allowed besides studio shoots, up to 200 people can meet, respecting the distance and hygiene and safety protocol. Foreign travel allowed with Negative COVID-19 test to avoid 14 day Quarantine.
Live Action shoots allowed. Max cast/crew varies. 14-day quarantine is requested.
Live action shoots are allowed. For Interior shoots: max 4 actors (no mask) at minimum of 1 mt of distance. For Exterior shoots: max 8 actors (no mask) at minimum of 1 mt of distance. 2mt in case of phisical activity. In all cases keeping as minimum crew as possible. A 14-day quarantine is required when arriving.
The state of emergency in Japan has been lifted and it is allowed to shoot on both locations and studios following the Production Work Guidelines in Response to COVID-19 supervised by Medical Coordinator Japan and the Intitute of Practical Socio Pharmacy. It is necessary checking health conditions three days in advance and temperature monitoring before entering the set. Reduced crew ensuring physical distancing (2m or more) and the use of masks for all and gloves for the ones closer on the set. An infection control team on set, including one healthecare worker from the medical coordinating company. All visitors from abroad are asked to take PCR tests and to stay in designated facilities for two weeks upon arriving.
Permits are available for shoots and gatherings up to 600 people are allowed. All observing safety protocols. Open to most EU countries, other may require 14 day quarentine, but with a special permit it can be avoided by doing 2 tests: first 48 hs prior to entering the country and a second one when arriving. Isolation required for those two days until having the results. For red zone countries, special work permits can be issued.
Film and television productions are permitted providing all involved abide by strict guidelines. Cast/Crew up to 20. Foreign travel closed.
Shoots are allowed with max crew of 30 people, respecting local safety protocol. At the moment foreign travel is closed.
It is allowed to shoot with no specific limit of cast and crew. It is required a 14-day quarantine.
Filming allowed in studios and locations, with a limit of 50 for Cast and Crew. Open to Scandinavia, while other countries require 10 day quarantine.
In Panama filming is available in studios, indoor and outdoor locations (in streets a maximum of 10 people). Following protocols, with special specifications and limitations in parks and beaches. Borders and international flights are closed until September.
Live productions are allowed, being necessary to previously check the scripts of each project to confirm that they coexist with local restrictions and regulations. Small crew advised and the set is divided into zones to respect the minimum amount of people depending on the tasks. Foreign travel open with Negative COVID-19 test. Some non EU countries may require work permits.
Filming in studio and private locations is allowed, under hygiene and safety protocols with a number of crew depending on particular needs, with a limit of 50 people. Open to COVID-19 negative, if not 14-day quarantine.
Shoots are allowed mantaing Cast and Crew as minimum as possible, with a limit of 10 people in interior locations. 14 day Quarantine is required.
Shoots are allowed following protocol guidelines in private and public locations. Foreign travel open.
South Africa is open to filming with 75 people on set, location dependent. For instance for small locations it is required to minimize crew & cast. Production is allowed to have another 75 people at a base camp and can alternated people as needed. Allowed to film on beaches and parks and most public spaces. Internal flights are open for work, but the borders are still closed to tourism.
While there are some differences between the two countries there is no Official Lockdown as of yet. Projects contained with the respective protocols can be filmed. Max 50 cast / crew, keeping 2 meters away during work. Scenes with big crowds and physical proximity are not possible at this moment.
Film and television production in Thailand are now permitted providing all involved abide by strict guidelines. Cast/Crew up to 50, but 10 in total in the shooting area. Open with double COVID-19 negative test and tracking app. Besides for red zone countries it is required 14 days quarantine and special permit.
Filming allowed in studios and locations, with no Cast and Crew limit. Open to COVID-19 negative test.
Shoots are allowed with crews up to 50 people. Allowed to shoot in studio and locations (private and public). Entrance to the country open.
Possible to shoot in studio and a list Covid-19 controlled locations, everything within protocol requirements. It is advised minimum crew and staggered calls to avoid congestion. 14 day Quarantine is required.
In the USA, restrictions differ by State. Please visit our USA section for live action shoots state by state