Hollywood replaces COVID-19 protocols in ‘low’ hospitalization areas

Major studios and entertainment industry unions have amended their COVID-19 safety agreement to meet certain requirements in areas such as testing and masks in parts of the United States and Canada where there are “low” COVID hospitals.

The changes only apply to areas that have confirmed “low” hospital admissions from COVID (the initial order does not specifically define this barrier) and apply to both vaccinated and unvaccinated cast and crew. According to the release, pre-contract testing is still mandatory, but with changes to the types of tests allowed. Weekly production tests will continue to be carried out in zones A and B, but with reduced frequency. And masks won’t be needed in “most” configurations, with the exception of transport vans.

The statement also said the changes would include “flexibility” in food service and transportation rules if needed. Additional details were not immediately available.

The new agreement extends employers’ right to educate Zone A employees about vaccination, including booster vaccination.

Applicable protocols also contain a requirement that the product be sourced from a COVID-19 Compliance Supervisor. Furthermore, Employees will continue to take 10 days of paid leave for COVID-19 for a variety of reasons, including positive testing, symptoms, isolation or self-quarantine, and situations where a family member is COVID-19 positive.

The agreement allows employers to impose stricter requirements on masking and testing.

The new contract runs until July 15.

Although the most recent version of the deal originally expired on April 30, several unions announced that both parties had not yet reached an agreement and that negotiations would continue until the following week, while the previous agreement would remain in effect until further notice. .

The COVID-19 Safety Agreement sets out the frequency of testing pandemic products in the United States, explains rules for masks and PPE, provides guidance on when an employee will test positive, and outlines the conditions under which a manufacturer can prescribe vaccines. The agreement has been in effect and has set product health standards since September 2020 and has been extended several times since then, sometimes with various modifications, to reflect changing circumstances.