British TV broadcasters develop new guidance for filming less than 2 metres apart

ritish TV broadcasters have developed new guidance for television production amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, Sky, STV, ITN, Pact and the Association for Commercial Broadcasters and On-Demand Services (COBA) have come together for new rules regarding filming safely when cast and crew have to be closer than two metres apart.

The guidance offers advice on how pairs or small groups of cast and crew will be able to interact closer than two metres on set.

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This would only be possible where all other options have been considered and dismissed, which include "adapting editorial onscreen requirements".

Meanwhile the guidelines cover a wide range and scale of all programming making across all genres for TV, and they work alongside British Film Commission guidance when it comes to managing "risks associated with film and high-end TV drama promotion".

The guidance looks at how best to establish safe close contact cohorts (CCCs) to allow small groups to work together while minimising the risk of spreading the coronavirus.

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While the regulations note that "a number of CCCs may be established on a single production", it\'s advised that the amount of people in each should be limited, and "mixing or swapping between CCC should be kept to an absolute minimum".

An ITV spokesperson said: "ITV has continued to be at the heart of informing, entertaining and connecting the UK through the COVID-19 crisis and production teams continue to work hard to bring back many more loved shows.

"Working with partners across the industry, this advice builds on the industry wide guidelines published in May and reflect the evolving situation we all find ourselves in.

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"Above all, the guidance is there to ensure the safety and well-being of all those who work on the programmes."