While large parts of Canada are lifting COVID-19 restrictions to return to pre-pandemic life, the screen industry has no plans to follow suit in the near future.

Ontario will lift the majority of its masking requirements in public settings on Monday (March 21), following similar decisions in provinces such as Alberta, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and Manitoba.

ACTRA Toronto executive director Alistair Hepburn tells Playback Daily that it will likely be some time before film sets see a similar easing of restrictions.

“We don’t need to be the first to cross the finish line on this one,” he says, emphasizing the importance of keep performers — who aren’t able to be masked while on camera — safe. “We’re more than happy to… take a bit of a wait and see approach.”

Hepburn is part of Ontario’s Section 21 Film and Television Health and Safety Advisory Committee, which represents industry unions, associations and government liaisons in developing on-set safety guidelines, including ACTRA, the CMPA, DGC Ontario, NABET, IATSE and the Toronto film office.

The committee published its COVID-19 guidelines in June 2020. The current version of the document is 51 pages long and includes guidance on personal protective equipment, screening policies and cleaning.

He says the committee is in constant communication to ensure any changes to Ontario’s COVID-19 safety guidelines are done as a group approach. He adds that ACTRA Toronto is also in regular contact with the national and other regional divisions on decisions to ensure performers can rely on consistent protocols no matter what province they’re working in.

Crews in Canada and the U.S. have had a similar approach to safety protocols. IATSE extended its agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers until April 30, which includes testing and masking recommendations.

“Vaccine and mask mandates are still in effect as we continue to follow the advice of experts who are clear in their opinion that vaccines and masks are the best way to address the spread of COVID,” said John Lewis, IATSE international VP and director of Canadian affairs, in a statement to Playback Daily.

Hepburn says unions are using a “global approach” to safety protocols, rather than follow local guidance only, as the industry welcomes performers or key creative talent from different countries.

“This industry has too much at stake and has the ability to affect far too many people if we get this wrong,” he says. “I’d rather be on the side of having too many precautions in place a little extra longer than rushing to remove them and having sets shut down.”

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