Chinese film and TV studios reopen after COVID-19 suspensions

Epidemic preventive measures taken

Before starting filming, crews had to take epidemic prevention measures.

The administrator of Xiangshan Film and Television Town required that the crews must provide epidemic prevention and control plans as well as emergency plans, besides preparing epidemic prevention appliances in advance.

It also asked all members of a crew to be quarantined for 14 days locally before shooting, and gathering of no more than 50 people is allowed during shooting.

According to media reports, the administrator of Hengdian World Studios required all members of a crew to take an exam on the knowledge of epidemic prevention, and only by answering all 25 questions correctly can they return to work.

Favorable policies help crews resume work

To help epidemic-hit film and television production companies, local governments and studios in Beijing, Shanghai, Zhejiang province and Jiangsu province introduced preferential financial policies.

The government of Dongyang city, Zhejiang province, where Hengdian World Studios is located, allocated 10 million yuan (around $1.4 million) to subsidize the venue and equipment rents as well as accommodation and catering fees for crews in Hengdian.

Hengdian World Studios exempted the rental fees for film making venues and studios during the suspension, cut the hotel accommodation fee by half, and gave those who stayed in Hengdian 500 yuan subsidy per person.

Xiangshan Film and Television town exempted venue rents, cut studio rents and accommodation fees by 30 to 50 percent, and cut rental fees of equipment, props, clothing and vehicles by 10 to 20 percent.