BFI and Pact plead with DCMS to make cast and crew exempt
Key cast and crew on TV and film projects could be exempt from the UK’s 14-day self-quarantine rule if a request from industry bodies is taken up by the government.
Broadcast understands that the BFI, Pact, the British Film Commission and UK Cinema Association have issued a request to the DCMS to allow major cast and crew to be excluded from the current rules, which demand all visitors to the UK enter self-isolation for 14 days upon arrival.
The current rules could lead to delays on TV projects, which began slowly starting up again earlier this month.
These must adhere to a strict set of guidelines put together by the industry bodies and greenlit by the DCMS, which state that productions should “ensure UK government guidance on quarantine is adhered to immediately upon arrival” but the bodies are seeking special dispensation.
As of now, Broadcast understands the government has yet to respond to the request.
The move mirrors similar requests from sports such as Formula 1.
There are already a number of exemptions to the 14-day rule, including workers engaged in essential or emergency works, members of diplomatic missions and defence personnel.
The BFI has been leading on a set of taskforces that are overseeing the sector’s return to production.
A key remaining concern is that productions are unable to gain insurance due to fears over a second coronavirus spike.
Indie trade body Pact, which is leading the insurance taskforce, continues to lobby government on the matter.
Last month, Pact chief executive John McVay called for the UK to ape France’s model of forging a state-backed fund for productions that are unable to obtain insurance.
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