• Productions should identify the management persons chiefly responsible for enforcing COVID-19 prevention/response and provide the contact information if workers have concerns.
• To help stop the spread of COVID-19, everyone should comply with the requirements under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and with associated regulations and public health directives issued by the Chief Medical Officer of Health.
• All workers should be provided and required to review the Guideline, and relevant production policies and protocols prior to commencing work.
• All workers should be trained by a qualified person on the Guideline and Production safety policy, the proper use of personal protective equipment, disinfection techniques and handwashing/sanitization techniques.
• Productions should consider the additional time and supports needed to carry out these duties.
  • Prevention methods in order of effectiveness:
  • Physical distancing
  • Physical barriers
  • Enhanced handwashing and personal hygiene
  • Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  • Reporting health concerns to employer and public health

• Workers should be aware of the symptoms of COVID-19. COVID-19 can be spread person to person through close contact, including while at work.
• Workers should self-screen before coming to work.
• Workers should not attend the workplace if they are symptomatic or required to isolate due to a quarantine order or direction from public health.
• Productions should have a procedure in place if someone symptomatic attends the workplace.
• Workers who are symptomatic or is aware that someone in the workplace is symptomatic should report it to Production and notify their union.
• Returning to work for previously symptomatic workers may require clearance from Production, health care providers, and the local public health unit.

• Screening should take place before individuals are allowed entry into the workplace.
• Individuals may be required to answer a health questionnaire.
• Temperature testing with a contactless thermometer may be required in addition to the health questionnaire.
• There should be a protocol to manage when individuals do not pass the screening.
• There should be a system to identify persons who have passed the screening.
• At the time of writing, the government of Ontario’s online self-assessment tool lists the following symptoms: Additional symptoms may be identified as we learn more about COVID-19.
  • Fever (feeling hot to the touch, a temperature of 37.8 degrees Celsius or higher)
  • Chills
  • Cough that's new or worsening (continuous, more than usual)
  • Barking cough, making a whistling noise when breathing (croup)
  • Shortness of breath (out of breath, unable to breathe deeply)
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Runny nose (not related to seasonal allergies or other known causes or conditions)
  • Stuffy or congested nose (not related to seasonal allergies or other known causes or conditions)
  • Lost sense of taste or smell
  • Pink eye(conjunctivitis)
  • Headache that’s unusual or long lasting
  • Digestive issues (nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain)
  • Muscle aches
  • Extreme tiredness that is unusual (fatigue, lack of energy)
  • Falling down often
  • For young children and infants: sluggishness or lack of appetite
• Workers who have symptoms related to COVID-19 should be sent home. The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to other illnesses, like the cold and flu. Workers exhibiting any symptoms (regardless of whether the illness has been confirmed) are required to be sent home. Public Health Ontario has provided helpful guidance on self-monitoring and self-isolation.
• In addition, employers should advise these workers to complete the online self-assessment or call either:
  • Telehealth: 1-866-797-0000
  • Their primary care provider (for example, family physician)

• Handwashing or sanitizing stations should be available.
• Remote auditions are highly encouraged  and should be provided as an option for those not comfortable with in-person auditions.
• If absolutely required, in-person auditions should avoid open calls and "go-sees".
• In-person auditions must allow for physical distancing through a variety of means:
  • Scheduling longer times between auditions to avoid congestion
  • Reducing the number of people in the audition room
  • Asking performers to wait outside (e.g. In their vehicle) until called to come inside
  • Ensuring waiting spaces are large enough to allow for physical distancing
  • Ensure that physical barriers (such as plexiglass) are in place between any unmasked Performers and others in the room
• In-person auditions should allow a Performer to remain masked for the audition if possible.
• For everyone’s safety, should the Performer be required by the Producer to audition without a mask on, ACTRA highly recommends that a rapid antigen COVID-19 testing plan be in place prior to the audition
• Effective HVAC Hepa filters or systems running a MERV-13 or higher filtration process should be used
• As COVID-19 is airborne, ensure enough time between auditions to properly replace the fresh air supply in the audition room
• Reduced physical paperwork, use digital paperwork instead
• No shared paper sides
• Disinfecting any surfaces or props touched by a performer between auditions

• Rehearsals and table reads should be done remotely if possible.
• If remote rehearsals and table reads are not possible, physical distancing and the prevention methods listed above should be utilized to ensure performer health & safety.

For further information, see the Best Practices – Voice Studios page.

• Voice recording should be done remotely if possible.
• Producers should consider supplying disinfected recording kits to performers to assist with remote recordings.
• If remote voice recordings are not possible, physical distancing and the prevention methods listed above should be utilized to ensure performer health & safety.
• Avoid any group recording sessions, if possible.
• Disinfect all surfaces and equipment performers come into contact with before and after each session.
• Allow performers to bring their own headphones.

• Divide workers (e.g. cast and crew) into pods with processes as to how to access, and who will access, the different areas.
• Limit the sets and offices to essential personnel only – for example, implementing "closed-set" rules.
• Avoid or limit large crowd scenes.
• Use boom microphones instead of LAV microphones.
• Wherever possible, have performers perform tasks that would usually require a worker to be closer than 2 metres from the performer – for example, instructing performers how, and allowing them, to wire themselves for sound/put on their own LAV microphones.
• Provide single-occupancy dressing rooms.
• Performers should be directed while maintaining physical distance of at least 2 metres. Avoid touching or physically moving performers into position.
• Provide background holding and change areas that allow for physical distancing, including arranging for background holding to be outdoors, if possible (and weather permitting).
• Require any individuals who interact with a performer at a distance of less than 2 metres to wear a mask and face shield and wash/sanitize hands.
• Where performers agree to touch one another during a scene, performers must wash or sanitize their hands immediately before and after each take.
• Limit the repetition of physical touching, as much as possible.
• Permit the performer handling a prop to reset the prop between takes.
• Provide sufficient washroom facilities, handwashing/sanitizing stations, receptacles for disposable personal protective equipment, etc., for the number of workers, and work that will be performed, on the site.

• Allocate time to adequately clean and disinfect stunt equipment.
• Require any individuals who interact with a performer at a distance of less than 2 metres to wear a mask and face shield and wash/sanitize hands.
• Where performers agree to touch one another during a scene, performers must wash or sanitize their hands immediately before and after each take.
• Limit the repetition of physical touching, as much as possible.

• Extra care and consideration should be given when child performers and their parents/guardians will be on set.
• Interaction between child performers and others should be limited as much as possible.
• If possible, a separate holding area should be provided for child performers.
• Virtual/remote tutoring should be considered.
• When possible, tutoring locations should not be used for other purposes. Tutoring locations should be appropriately disinfected in between each use.
• Minimal styling will be provided for child performers.

• Handwashing or sanitizing stations should be available in or close to food service areas.
• All individuals should wash their hands before and after entering.
• Physical distancing should be maintained. Measures may include staggered mealtimes, floor markings, and different eating areas.
• Foods should be individually packaged.
• Bring food and a water bottle from home if possible, there may not be food offered on some sets.
• All individuals should put their garbage directly into bins and not leave it for others to clean up.
• Access to craft truck for food servers only
• Disposable plates, bowls, etc. and individually packaged cutlery should be used.

• Protocols will be in place to maintain a physical distance of at least 2 metres within hair, make-up and wardrobe facilities, as possible. Such protocols may include:
  • Establishing and posting a maximum number of individuals who may be present in a trailer or change area
  • Limiting the number of performers that may be in a space receiving styling at a time
  • Placing workstations at least 2 metres apart
  • Scheduling make-up tests and fittings to avoid overlap/congestion
• Adequately vent all work areas.
• No eating or drinking in the hair/make-up/wardrobe area when work is being done on performers.
• Handwashing or sanitizing stations should be available in or close to hair/make-up/wardrobe areas.
• Stylists working on performers should wash or sanitize their hands before and after working on a performer.
• Some performers may be requested to do their own hair/make-up/touch-ups while being directed, from a distance, by a stylist/artist.
• Have separate supplies (e.g. make-up, applicators, brushes, hair pins, etc.) for each individual cast member and store these supplies in separately marked bags.
• Avoid sharing make-up between performers.
• Use disposable applicators, brushes, etc., when possible.
• Mix make-up on disposable palettes, when possible.
• De-pot make-up, where possible.
• Provide disposable single-use chair covers for each performer.
• Disinfect wardrobe items regularly, for example, before/after each use and before/after being placed in storage.
• Bag costumes separately by performer.
• Have separate wardrobe pieces for stunt performers, doubles.
• Utilize underdressed second skin costumes to limit direct contact with wardrobe pieces.

• Masks should be worn in vehicles when multiple individuals are present, even if physical distancing can be maintained.
• Provide hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies in all passenger vehicles where individuals will be seated.
• Keep the windows down in the vehicle, weather permitting, to improve air circulation.
• No eating or drinking in passenger vehicles any time that a passenger is present.
• All items that a passenger brings into a vehicle, including any garbage, should be removed by that individual, and not left for the driver, or anyone else, to clean up.
• Regularly disinfect all frequent touchpoints such as door handles and window buttons.
• Disposable seat covers should be available in passenger vehicles and individuals must dispose of their own seat cover.
• All vehicles will be thoroughly disinfected at the start or end of each day.

• Public Health Agency of Canada
• Ontario Ministry of Health: The 2019 Novel Coronavirus
  • Find your closest Ontario assessment centre to get a COVID-19 (coronavirus) test.
• Toronto Public Health: Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19 Page)
  • Telehealth Ontario can be reached at 1-866-797-0000
  • Telehealth Ontario TTY can be reached at 1-866-797-0007
• World Health Organization
  • Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) online training
• WSPS (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services)
  • FAQ: Alcohol-based Hand Sanitizer

• Ontario Emergency Assistance Program
• CRA YouTube Videos (Sign up for My Account, Get ready to do your taxes and more.)
• AFC COVID-19 GUIDE

• CAMH – Mental Health and the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Morneau Shepell – Tips for coping with COVID-19
• Haven Helpline: 1-855-201-7823
• Mental Health Commission of Canada - Resources
• Mental Health Commission of Canada – Caring for Children in the COVID-19 Crisis
• WSPS Mental Health Poster

• AFBS
• AFBS Service Update for Members
• AFBS Travel Emergency Medical Benefit Exclusions

ACTRA Toronto Virtual Town Hall Recordings

BEST PRACTICES

• ACTRA Toronto's COVID 19 Best Practices page

ACTRA Toronto Stories

• ACTRA Spotlight – Stories about ACTRA Toronto member volunteerism, union activism and professional development during COVID-19!

• Ontario Film Commission – Professional Development & Learning Resources
• CBC List of Helpful Links for Artists and Freelancers
• Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre - COVID-19 Fraud

COVID-19 TESTING
Ontario Government

• Ontario Provincial Antigen Screening Program
• Ontario Ministry of Health, Management of Cases and Contacts of COVID-19 in Ontario

Private Testing Facilities 

This list is provided for convenience only. ACTRA Toronto cannot recommend nor endorse testing facilities.

• BTNX Inc.
• canaPHEM
• Dynacare
• ELNA Medical
• FH Health
• HCP Diagnostics
• ICL Solutions
• IPAC Consulting
• LifeLabs
• MCI The Doctors Office
• Pulsar UV
• RapidScreen
• Switch Health
• wlnss.
• Workplace Medical Corp.