Maharashtra allows resumption of shootings, but strict guidelines putting off producers

As the devastating second wave of COVID-19 infections spread across the nation in April 2021, lockdowns and restrictions were re-imposed by all states and UTs. The second wave which started from Maharashtra, soon engulfed the entire nation. The Maharashtra government was quick to impose statewise lockdown, which put strict restrictions on movement of people and various activities. Non-essential retails outlets, malls, gyms, movie halls, parks, public transport all were shut down. 

Offices were told to ask employees to work from home. While journalists and news establishments could function following strict COVID-19 protocols, no film, web series, TV serials and ad shootings were allowed. This brought to a halt all shootings in Maharashtra and producers shifted to neighbouring states such as Goa, Daman, Karnataka, even Delhi to carrying on with their shootings amid bio bubbles and following all COVID-19 protocols. 

Now, with the number of new COVID-19 cases coming down, the Maharashtra government has announced its phase-wise unlock strategy after 52 days of lockdown, which come into effect from today (June 7, 2021). As per the new guidelines, the districts and the cities will be divided into five levels. Those cities and districts, which have less than 5 per cent positivity rate and less than 25 per cent occupancy rate of oxygen beds, will be put in Level 1 and will be free of all restrictions. 

The cities and districts, which have up to 5 per cent positivity rate and 25-40 per cent occupancy rate will be placed under Level 2 of the plan. The districts and cities having a 5-10 per cent positivity rate and 40-60 per cent occupancy rate will come under Level 3. While those areas with a 10-20 per cent positivity rate and 60-75 per cent occupancy rate will be put under level 4, the areas with a positivity rate of 20 per cent and occupancy rate above 75 per cent will be placed under level 5 and will not see any relaxation. 

Mumbai falls under Level 3 according to the new unlock plan. The Government has allowed resumption of film and TV shoots from June 7, 2021, which have to take place in a bio bubble and all shooting activity for the day will have to be wrapped by 5 pm. 

Issuing a Government Resolution (GR), the Cultural Affairs Ministry said that producers will have to conduct pre-production and post-production works by adhering to the guidelines laid down by the government, as per media reports. As in the case of the Unlock protocols last year, limited number of people will be allowed on the sets, who will have to follow all COVID-29 protocols like social distancing, maintaining proper hygiene, wearing masks, and packing up on the given deadlines. The Government has warned that strict action will be taken against the industry people who fail to adhere to the set guidelines, which could also include stopping of work. 

Reacting to the new guidelines, the industry bodies have requested the Maharashtra Chief Minister to increase the shoot timings from 7 am to 7 pm, and have pleaded that they need at least 12 hours to function on an optimal basis. 

Meanwhile, many shootings for films and TV serials continue to take place outside Maharashtra, where the producers have created a bio bubble for their units. As of now, several of these producers see no point in returning to Mumbai as long as the curtailed shooting hours are in place.