COVID-19 Infection Control Guideline in Supporting Location Shoots
June 24, 2020
Japan Film Commission
1. Introduction
This guideline, based on the “Basic Policies for Novel Coronavirus Disease
Control by the Government of Japan,” (settled on March 28th, 2020 and revisedon May 25th, 2020 by the Novel Coronavirus Response Headquarters. Hereinafterreferred to as “Basic Policies,”) and in response to the requests made in the Novel
Coronavirus Expert Meeting’s “Analysis and Recommendations of the responseto the Novel Coronavirus Disease Control (COVID-19)” (May 4th, 2020.
Hereinafter referred to as “May 4th Recommendations”), provides basic infection
control measures against coronavirus (COVID-19) to be taken by the people
involved in location shoots in which regional film commissions who are membersof Japan Film Commission (hereinafter referred to as “FCs”) offer support
services.
This guideline uses, the May 4th Recommendation’s 4. (2) “Points of attention,
regarding industry-specific risk management guidelines,” appendix “practicecases of ’New Lifestyle’,” “Regarding maintenance and mitigation of the state ofemergency (May 4th, 2020. Written announcement) (head of promotion office ofnovel coronavirus disease control, Cabinet Secretariat),” the Novel Coronavirus
Expert Meeting’s “Analysis and Recommendations of the response to the Novel
Coronavirus (COVID-19)” (May 14th, 2020), and “On prefectural measures,
following the changes in areas needing state of emergency measures (May 14th,2020. Written announcement) (head of promotion office of novel coronavirus
disease control, Cabinet Secretariat),” as reference, in providing specificmeasures for infection control, per key areas of consideration. This guideline also
reflects opinions and comments from Dr. Nobuhisa Ishiguro, Clinical Professor,
Hokkaido University Hospital Division of Infection Control, from the perspectiveof infection control measures against coronavirus (COVID-19).
Together with the Producers (refers to the production company/producers
developing and producing projects. The same shall apply hereinafter), FCs are
required to sufficiently understand the aim and content of the Basic Policies, referto this guideline’s “Basic Approaches to Infection Control” and “Specific Measuresfor Producers” in taking measures of infection control against COVID-19, and to
make continuous efforts to meet the needs of the society, as part of its
infrastructure.
The content of this guideline will be suitably revised, according to revisions madeon the Basic Policies, as well as the number of COVID-19 cases and new
research findings and opinions from experts, as needed. Moreover, due to thedifferences in the policies regarding shoots implemented by each local
government, FCs are to ask the Producers that they shoot according to theconditions set by the FC, local government and/or owner or landlord of thelocation (hereinafter referred to as “FC and other local parties”) and that due
consideration is given for the local residents.

2. Basic Approaches to Infection Control
In order for the Producers to prepare and carry out the shoot in an environment
with appropriate infection control measures, FCs are to check that theProducers are taking all possible measures to prevent the spread of the novel
coronavirus infection, utilizing, the attached “COVID-19 Infection Control
Checklist for Location Shoots Ver.1.0 (hereinafter referred to as the“checklist”),” before providing supporting services for their location shoots.
Places/situation that meet any of the three conditions (known as the “Three Cs”),⑴ Closed spaces (spaces that are closed, with poor ventilation), (2) Crowded
places (places that are crowded with many people close to each other), (3) Closecontact settings (situations where conversation or vocalization is carried out
within a distance where their arms, when stretched out, are within reachingdistance), are said to increase risks of infection. This guideline includes measuresof avoiding such settings, as it aims to make thorough efforts to prevent an
individual from getting infected as well as to prevent the individual from infecting
others in the event the individual is infected.

3. Specific Measures for Producers, in requesting support for location shoots
When Producers are to go on production, they should follow the infection
control guideline decided by Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan. Inaddition, below are asked of the Producers.
(1) Relationships with FCs and Other Local Parties-In the event Producers are to request for support in a location shoot, theyshould report to the FC and other local parties in advance that they aretaking required measures of infection control by submitting the attachedchecklist. Producers are to understand that support services may not beprovided if the checklist is not submitted.

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Producers should check and keep a record of the places that each person
involved in the location shoot (including all cast and crew involved in theproduction. Hereinafter referred to as “Production Crew”) has visited, fromtwo weeks prior to and during production, in case someone develops
symptoms or is tested positive for coronavirus.

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Producers are to clarify the responsible party on location. The responsible
party is to share information, correspond and collaborate with the FC andother local parties.

-In the event support services are to be provided, Producers should respect
the FC and other local parties’ opinions and discuss the production plans
with them in advance.

-Producers are to inform the FC and other local parties if a member of theProduction Crew develops symptoms or is tested positive for coronavirus
within 14 days after the shoot.

(2) Measures for Infection Control-Anyone, with symptoms such as a fever, cough or diarrhea, who has been
in close-contact with someone who has been tested positive forcoronavirus (for 14 days, from the last contact), who is living with or has
been in close-contact with someone who is suspected of infection, or who
has returned to Japan from an overseas country within the past 14 days
(hereinafter referred to as “symptomatic personnel”), should not beallowed to engage in the shoot as production crew.

-A sanitary supervisor (or an appointed crew to be in charge) is to be
designated, to supervise a thorough implementation of the infection control

measures by the Production Crew and the disinfection of used locations,such as facilities.
(3) Indoor Location Shoots-When shooting indoors, such as inside a facility, Producers are to minimize
the number of people on location and take the size of the space into
consideration to avoid settings mentioned earlier as “Three Cs.” The
maximum number of Production Crew allowed at once, in principle, should
be within the number restrictions for large-scale events and gatherings,
decided by each prefecture.

-Producers should check the details with the location owner/landlord inadvance, and take the responsibility of disinfecting the locations, after theshoot.

(4) Outdoor Location Shoots-During travel of Production Crew for location shooting purposes, the“Three Cs” should be avoided by keeping a social distance (approx. 2meters (1 meter minimum)) and Producers must take infection control
measures such as hand washing, hand disinfection and wearing facemasks.

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When shooting outdoors, Producers will follow the number restrictions
decided by each prefecture in holding mass events and/or gatherings at alocation or a facility and restrict entry to the location or facility by nonrelated parties.

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When traveling by car, the interior of the vehicle must be properly
disinfected. In addition, Production Crew are to wear face masks while onthe vehicle and practice social distancing, in ways such as minimizing thenumber of people per vehicle, and make sure the vehicle is ventilated whiletraveling.

(5) Measures to be taken in Resting Areas and Waiting Rooms
Producers are to make efforts to ventilate all resting areas and waiting rooms
regularly and make efforts to take following measures from the perspective ofcontrolling contacts among the Production Crew
-To limit the number of persons using the resting areas and waiting rooms
at one time and/or to schedule the use of resting areas and waiting rooms

to avoid close contacts-

To place disinfectants in the resting areas and waiting rooms
To have all persons wear face masks while using the resting areas andwaiting rooms-

To secure sufficient distance among those who use the resting areas andwaiting rooms while eating and drinking, as well as consider installing
partitions, such as transparent vinyl curtains, if necessary-

To notify that drinking water is to be brought by each individual-

To use disposable paper plates and cups in the resting areas and waitingrooms-

To ask those who use the resting areas and waiting rooms to take home
all meal garbage(6) Background Extra Casting Support-In principle, casting calls through FC and other local parties will not bemade.

(7) Measures to be taken should anyone develop symptoms of COVID-19-

Should someone develop symptoms of COVID-19 during the production,
they should promptly be isolated and avoid human contact as much aspossible. Moreover, they should be sent home and encouraged to visit a
medical institution and/or a health center for advice and consultation, asneeded. In addition, all shared objects, such as tools, should be disinfected
and the Producer is to promptly inform the FC and other local parties.

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If someone is to be home quarantined, check their health conditions every
day and do not allow them to engage in the production, until 48 hours after
recovery. Moreover, do not allow them to engage in the production until 48
hours after recovery from the symptoms, even if they consult a medical
institution and are tested negative for coronavirus, with a PCR test.

(8) In relation to Health Center-If someone is suspected of being infected with coronavirus, Producersshall cooperate with public institutions, such as the health center, with theirinterview surveys and provide necessary information.

4. Specific Measures for FC and other local parties, in supporting location shoots(1) Verifying the Checklist-

When contacted with a request for support services for a location shoot,FC and other local parties are to request the Producers to submit thechecklist and verify the document, before reaching out to the location
owner/landlord for support.

-When providing support for location shoots, FC and other local parties areto request the Producers to check and keep a record of the places theirproduction crew have visited, from two weeks prior to and duringproduction.

-FC and other local parties shall check to see if the measures of infection
control on the checklist are being carried out by the Producers andProduction Crew, and work in collaboration with the Producers in sharing
and updating information.

(2) Measures of Infection Control for FC and other local parties
FC and other local parties who take part in supporting location shoots are to
take following measures.
-To wear face masks and wash hands thoroughly
To wash their clothes frequently
Not allow symptomatic personnel to engage in the location shoot support
To measure their temperature every day. If they develop symptoms suchas a fever, they are to stay home and are encouraged to visit a medical
institution and/or a health center for advice and consultation, as needed.

-To make certain that FC personnel’s emergency contact information andwork shifts are known to those involved in the location shoot(3) Announcement & Promotion
The following announcement and promotion should be made to FCs andother local parties, for the prevention of infection.
-Symptomatic personnel should not engage in the location shoot
Proper coughing manners, use of face masks and hand washing are to bepracticed thoroughly-

Keeping a social distance between individuals (approx. 2meters (1 meterminimum)) should be practiced thoroughly(4) In relation to Health Center-

FC and other local parties are to prepare a communication plan with thecompetent health center and authorities for prompt cooperation, in casesomeone is tested positive or is suspected of being infected withcoronavirus-

FC and other local parties are to check with the local health center
regarding the infection control measures, in advance.

-FC and other local parties should verify the contact details and measuresof the health center in advance, should someone is tested positive ordevelops symptoms of COVID-19 during the production, and share thisinformation with the Producers.

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If the contact person of the FC or other local parties is suspected of being
infected with coronavirus, FC and other local parties are to cooperate withpublic institutions such as health centers, on their interview surveys, andprovide necessary information.

(5) If someone develops symptoms of COVID-19-

If someone in the FC and other local parties develops symptoms of
COVID-19, they should promptly be isolated and avoid human contact asmuch as possible. Moreover, they should be sent home and encouraged
to visit medical institutions and/or a health center for advice andconsultation, as needed.

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Any person in the FC and other local parties assisting the symptomaticpersonnel should make sure to wear masks and gloves.

-FC and other local parties are to inform the health center promptly andfollow their instructions.

-If someone in the FC and other local parties is to be home quarantined,
their health conditions should be checked every day and they should not
be allowed to engage in the production, until 48 hours after recovery.
Moreover, they should not be allowed to engage in the production until 48
hours after recovery from the symptoms, even if they have consulted a
medical institution and are tested negative for coronavirus, with a PCR test.

5. For Producers and Production Crew from Overseas Countries
Producers and Production Crew from overseas countries are to follow thisguideline as well.