Yesterday the UK Prime Minister announced new COVID-19 measures.

While there are new restrictions relating to COVID-19, COVID-secure work-places will remain operational, with filming permitted for productions in and around the capital, as well as across all four UK nations who are operating within appropriate industry guidelines in COVID-secure settings.

Cinemas in England will also not be required to close at 10pm when the government imposes the new restrictions on Thursday. The 10pm curfew applies to pubs, bars, restaurants and hospitality venues but will not apply to theatres and cinemas where performances may run over the 10pm deadline.

Film London CEO, Adrian Wootton OBE addressed the news:

"Yesterday’s announcements from the UK Prime Minister and Scotland’s First Minister make clear that, while there are new restrictions relating to COVID-19, COVID-secure work-places will remain operational. While restrictions vary from nation to nation within the UK, filming is permitted for productions in London and across all four UK nations who are operating within appropriate industry guidelines in COVID-secure settings.

The British Film Commission’s COVID-19 Production guidance, from which we drew up the Guidance for Location Filming in London, was welcomed by UK Government, Public Health England and the Health and Safety Executive, was designed to be rigorous, with thorough, comprehensive recommendations around social distancing and personal hygiene. We know that London and UK productions have been following it when restarting production. Studios and streamers also have their own extremely rigorous protocols which sit alongside the guidance, as well as production-specific risk assessments.

Film London will continue to support the film, TV and streaming industry to follow the latest Government guidance. I remain fully confident in the UK screen sector’s ability to restart production safely and support our country’s economic recovery."