Health officials encourage filmmakers to pause work amid COVID-19 surge

LOS ANGELES — As COVID-19 cases continue to surge in Los Angeles County, health officials have encouraged filmmakers to pause their work and refrain from traveling.

In an update sent Dec. 24 to film industry contacts, the L.A. County Department of Public Health wrote that “although music, TV and film productions are allowed to operate, we ask you to strongly consider pausing work for a few weeks during this catastrophic surge in COVID cases.” Parts of the note were published on the website of FilmLA, the nonprofit group that handles film permits for the city and county.

The department also said that travel for production is not advised because it is more likely people will be in shared vehicles, increasing the risk of spreading the novel coronavirus.

FilmLA declined to comment, referring questions to the county’s department of public health. The department did not respond to a request for comment.

Due to the surge in COVID cases and out of an abundance of caution, CBS Studios delayed resuming production by a week to Jan. 11 on a few of its shows, according to a person familiar with the matter who declined to be named.

The affected CBS Studios-produced programs include “NCIS,” “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “SEAL Team,” “Why Women Kill” and “Diary of a Future President,” the person said.

The spike in COVID-19 cases has put immense pressure on L.A. County hospitals, as some hospitals have turned ambulances away and are running low on oxygen supplies. Space has been running out, with some patients placed in conference rooms and gift shops.

Hollywood has put guidelines in place to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. In September, studios and unions agreed on a set of safety protocols, including testing before employees start work on a set and during production.

Steve Dayan, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 399, which represents casting directors, location managers and drivers, said he believes the protocols are working.