Tag Archive for: RAT

ScreenSafe – COVID-19 Protocols – The End of the Traffic Light System

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Red traffic light against clouds in the sky

Wednesday, 14 September 2022

As of 11:59pm on Monday 12 September, the COVID-19 Protection Framework (AKA the Traffic Light System) ended. With case numbers falling, a highly vaccinated population, and increased access to antiviral medicines to treat COVID-19, public health experts say it is safe to remove most COVID-19 rules and end border restrictions.

This means that for most settings, including work places and film shoots, we can go back to “life as normal”. Mask wearing, physical distancing, testing, etc. is no longer a Government requirement in most situations. Though don’t be surprised if you are still asked to wear a mask. And some people will still chose to wear one.

Safety Protocols for the Screen Industry

As of Monday night the ScreenSafe COVID-19 Protocols are no longer valid. But please note that COVID-19 has by no means been eradicated. And it will still be part of our lives for the foreseeable future.

Depending on the individual needs of a production, the specific requirements of a scene or location, or the personal situation of a crew or cast member, some productions may still need to utilise some of the many safety measures we’ve gotten used to over the last few years, including mask wearing, testing, vaccination status and the use of health declarations and release deeds. It’s up to each production to clearly state their intention. If a production sees the need for putting in place additional COVID-19 safety measures, we recommend that they engage with the crew and the safety team as early as possible.

Personal Responsibility

While regular testing and mask wearing will not be mandatory for most productions, personal responsibly for yourself and your colleagues will become more important.

Most of us are freelance contractors and don’t have the safety net that employees have with sick days, etc. So if we can’t work, we don’t get paid… This goes for both yourself and your colleagues.

If you feel sick, please notify production and/or safety. Please test when unwell or if you are a household contact.

Where is Mask Wearing Still Mandatory?

Masks will still be required in hospitals and other healthcare facilities like medical centres, pharmacies, A&E, etc.

New Rules for Household Contacts

Positive cases must still self-isolate for at least 7 days, but Household Contacts no longer need to isolate. If you live with someone who tests positive for COVID-19, we recommend you:

  • take a rapid antigen test (RAT) each day for 5 days in order to go to work
  • avoid contact with the person who has COVID-19

Travellers Arriving Into New Zealand

Vaccination requirements for travellers arriving in New Zealand will end, including air crew.

People entering New Zealand will be given free RATs and are recommend to test on the day they arrive and on day 5 or 6.

Sincerely,
The ScreenSafe COVID-19 Group
Email: info@screensafe.co.nz

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ScreenSafe – Screen Industry Guidance – Omicron Phase 3 Update

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1 March 2022

Last week New Zealand entered Phase 3 of the Omicron outbreak. We now have thousands of new daily cases and this is expected to increase over the next month or so.

The intention of Phase 3 is to ease the pressure on Government testing and contact tracing. The focus will be on protecting the vulnerable while ensuring the health system and key supply chains remain operational and that our economy keeps moving.

The most common symptoms for the Omicron variant are a sore or scratchy throat, and a runny nose. If you have cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms, you should continue to get tested and stay at home until you have received a negative test result.

With changes happening daily ScreenSafe will cover off the major changes as they come to hand but recommends all productions to keep informed. For regular updates please check: https://covid19.govt.nz/

The key changes are:

 

Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) will become the primary form of testing

You will no longer require a PCR test to confirm your COVID-19 RAT diagnosis. RATs will now be available from GPs, participating pharmacies and community collection sites (https://www.healthpoint.co.nz/covid-19/), and they are now freely available to buy online.

Only confirmed cases and their household contacts are required to isolate

People who test positive for COVID-19 and those in their households need to isolate for 10 days, but can now self-release after day 10, provided any testing and symptoms requirements are met. Household contacts must test on days 3 and 10.

If you are told you are a close contact, you do not need to isolate, but should monitor for any symptoms. Please get a test if symptoms develop.

The relaxation of close contact rules are a huge and important change for our industry as it means you do not need to shut down a whole production if any cast or crew test positive.

Please note – continued adherence to ScreenSafe Red Level guidelines is highly recommended for the safety of cast and crew and to avoid unnecessary business disruption:

  • Mask wearing and good hygiene protocols is crucial
  • Practice strict adherence to working bubbles
  • Practice good physical distancing
  • Work from home if possible
  • Avoid ride-sharing

A new self-investigation tool will be launched, with contact tracing teams to focus on high-risk exposure events and locations

Positive cases will need to do their own work in regards to contact tracing. A self-investigation tool is in the works, but is not live as of today.

Vaccinated Kiwis arriving from Australia and the rest of the world will no longer need to self-isolate

From 11:59pm on Wednesday 2 March 2022, fully vaccinated New Zealanders arriving from Australia will no longer need to self-isolate.

From 11.59pm on Friday 4 March this will be extended to include fully vaccinated New Zealand travellers from the rest of the world.

* More details information will be released in the next few days.

Sincerely,
The ScreenSafe COVID-19 Group, Email: info@screensafe.co.nz

Thank you to NZFC and NZOA for their funding support of these COVID-19 reviews.

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Screen Industry COVID-19 H&S Protocols – Omicron Update

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Friday 4th February 2022

ScreenSafe has updated the COVID-19 Protocols to align with some minor Government updates and with updated information in regards to the Omicron variant.

As we’ve all heard, the Omicron variant is highly infectious and it is now in our community, both on the North and South Island. Even with New Zealand’s very high vaccination rates, it is likely that infection rates can reach the thousands per day over the next few weeks/months.

The Government recommends a booster shot as an additional layer of protection against the Omicron variant.

The changes to the Protocols are as follows:

Omicron Update (in the “About COVID-19” Section)

General Ministry of Health information about the Omicron variant.

Update on Mask/Face Covering Requirements (in the “About COVID-19” Section)

A face covering will need to be an actual mask and attached to the head by loops around the ears or head. This means scarves, bandannas, or t-shirts should not be used.

Stricter mask requirements are now in place for essential services. While that does not apply to our industry, we urge you to consider MoH information about what masks will provide you and your workplace with the best protection: Link here.

Managing an Omicron Outbreak (New section)

This new section provides information about the 3 phases of the impending Omicron outbreak, including applicable isolation timeframes for cases and close contacts. It also provides some basic steps for dealing with an outbreak in your workplace.

Vaccination Update (in the “Vaccinations & Vaccination Passports” Section)

Booster update – you can now get this only 3 months after your second dose (previously it was 6, then 4 months).

Update about the Child Vaccine (for kids 5-11) which is now available.

Rapid Antigen Testing Update (in the “Testing” Section)

Updated with the latest information about RAT testing.

Note that this continues to be an evolving topic as supplies of RAT are currently limited. Although we are hopeful this will become a vital tool for all productions.

Surveillance Testing (in the “Testing” Section)

As previously confirmed by MoH – Community Testing Centres CANNOT be used for production surveillance testing. These sites are only for symptomatic people and close contacts. Productions must bear the cost of surveillance testing themselves and should not ask cast or crew to go to Community Testing Centres. Link here.

ADR/Booth Work Update (in the “Traffic Light Guides”)

We have added in a quick note about the need for proper guidelines in regards to sanitation, ventilation and physical distancing for any ADR or other booth work in post-production.

The 5-Step Border Reopening 27th February (in the “Immigration and International Travel Restrictions” Section)

Updated in regards to today’s announcements about the 5-stage re-opening of our international borders.

Links to updated information:

ScreenSafe COVID-19 H&S Protocols – Omicron Update

Vaccination Passport Traffic Light Guidelines and Non-Vaccination Passport Guidelines

ScreenSafe would like to thank the NZ Film Commission and NZ on Air for funding this initiative.

Full release here.

Sincerely,
The ScreenSafe COVID-19 Group
Email: info@screensafe.co.nz

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