February 16, 2021
On Screen Manitoba continues to closely monitor the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the media production industry. This page provides links to information and resources regarding public health orders, workplace safety and health guidelines and emergency relief programs for individuals, companies and not-for-profit organizations. It is updated regularly.
On March 20, 2020, the Manitoba government declared a province-wide state of emergency under The Emergency Measures Act to protect the health and safety of all Manitobans and reduce the spread of COVID-19. Find information here regarding current Public Health Orders (updated February 11, 2021).
The February 11, 2021 General COVID-19 Prevention Orders indicate that businesses that are producing a motion picture or television show may operate (item 70, p 36 in the Schedule of businesses permitted to operate) and businesses that conduct communications and broadcasting activities (items 6, 7 and 8 on page 28 of the schedule) may continue to operate.
The January 28, 2021 Self-Isolation Orders for Persons Entering Manitoba continue to be in effect and state that all persons traveling to Manitoba, including from within Canada, must self-isolate for a period of 14 days; however, Article 2(1)(m) on page 6 indicates that “the cast and crew and other persons directly involved in a film production, if they are not displaying any symptoms of COVID-19,” remain exempt from the self-isolation order.
The Government of Canada, and the Government of Manitoba each provide detailed information about COVID-19 and preventing its spread as well as links to their emergency relief and return to work programs. The City of Winnipeg has also established a COVID-19 Information page with measures the City has taken to help prevent the spread of the virus. For health-related matters, you may also wish to consult the World Health Organization (WHO). We encourage you to visit our FAQs, and you can also submit questions at info@onscreenmanitoba.com
The On Screen Manitoba Producer Committee developed the Manitoba Media Production Industry COVID-19 Safety and Health Guide (updated October 7, 2020) through researching best practices in other jurisdictions, interviews with crew members and review by local industry stakeholders including IATSE 856, DGC, ACTRA, the City of Winnipeg Film and Events Office, Manitoba Film & Music and Film Training Manitoba through the Manitoba Media Production Industry Working Group. The Guide is supplemental to, and not a replacement for, the requirements stipulated by the Government of Manitoba to reduce the spread of COVID-19. It is intended to complement the Manitoba Government guidelines listed in Restoring Safe Services: Phase 2 (scroll down to Film Production effective June 1), an update in Phase 3 (scroll down to Film Production effective June 21) and under Workplace Guidance for Business Owners. The Government of Manitoba also provides sector specific guidelines including transportation and construction.
The Guide has been endorsed by many production companies in Manitoba. All Manitoba production companies are encouraged to add their signatures to the undertaking by filling out this form. Additional inquiries or questions can be directed to Nicole Matiation, Executive Director.
Additional COVID-19 Resources
On Screen Manitoba has developed a COVID-19 Safety Basics poster that can be downloaded and posted in your workplace:
Three online sessions have been provided by On Screen Manitoba and Film Training Manitoba to help prepare for production start-up, you can watch sessions and read the presentations:
Industry-wide Information Session on COVID-19 Safety and Health by Kyle Irving (Eagle Vision) and Lesley Oswald (Production Manager) on June 4, 2020. Video | Presentation
SMART START: Safety for Supervisors in the Media Production Industry Presentation.
SMART START: COVID-19 Cleaning & Sanitization Video | Presentation
Here are some additional resources:
OSM Service Suppliers Members — COVID-19 Health and Safety Guidelines, Plans and Offers
Manitoba Industry Directory — COVID-19 Supervisors and Workers. Please contact On Screen Manitoba for additional COVID-19 workers not listed here.
Stakeholder resources
Local, national and international media production industry stakeholders have put in place a number of measures and initiatives:
- ACTRA Manitoba COVID-19 Best Practices Guide (BPG): Health & Safety Standards
- Canada Border Services Agency COVID-19 Film & TV Industry One-Pager
- Canada Media Fund (CMF) COVID-19 Information Hub
- Canadian Heritage COVID-19 information page
- CAVCO
- CMPA
- Documentary Organization of Canada (DOC): Documentary Production in the Era Of COVID-19: Best Practices By and For Documentary Filmmakers
- DGC
- IATSE International
- Manitoba Film and Music (MFM)
- National Film Board of Canada (NFB)
- Telefilm Canada
COVID-19 Safety and Health Media Production Guides from other Provinces
- Quebec Toolkit for the Audiovisual Production Sector
- Safework BC: Motion picture and television production: Protocols for returning to operation
- The BC Motion Picture Industry COVID-19 Pandemic Production Guide
- British Columbia Motion Picture Industry COVID-19 Safety Guidelines
- Ontario: Section 21 Film and Television Health and Safety Advisory Committee of the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development
- Alberta: Guidance for the Screen-Based Production Industry
- Screen Nova Scotia: COVID-19 Related Health and Safety Guidelines for the Screen Industry
- British Film Commission: Working Safely During COVID-19 in Film and High-end TV Drama Production
Manitoba Public Health recommends the following to help reduce the spread of COVID-19:
- Check yourself for symptoms every day;
- Stay home when you are sick;
- Get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19;
- Wash your hands or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer frequently;
- Cover your cough/sneeze;
- Maintain social (physical) distancing; and
- Wear a mask when social (physical) distancing is not possible.
