The film and TV Body today issued a request to all producers to get a mandatory 15 day repeat testing done all cast and crew. This is necessitated by the alarming surge of COVID 19 cases in Maharashtra including Mumbai. There is a long and growing list of film and TV actors getting affected by this deadly virus
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The Indian TV and Films producer’s council has issued a press release today in which they have mentioned that the producers of ongoing projects need to get the RT/PCR -Antigen tests conducted on all crew immediately. The IFTPC has further gone on to add that this is being done based on the break the chain guidelines. It has proposed the antigen tests every week to ensure maximum safety for all concerned. It is reported that the producers have complied. The IFTPC has received about 9000 test reports till now. The Chairman of the TV and web wing Mr JD Majethia said that the broadcasters had borne the cost of the COVID19 tests. Mr Majethia informed how the producers have been urged to create extremely safe COVID 19 conditions on the sets and they have invested in doing so. The health and safety of all cast and crew is of prime importance to the producers. Majethia also added that the film and television industry is doing an excellent job by bringing entertainment to the fore for the entire country that is complying with the “stay at home ’ “ stay indoors ’’phase and where entertainment is very crucial.
The IFTPC is hopeful that the lockdown measures if imposed in Maharashtra will not force them to stop work. They are hopeful that this will be regarded as an essential service.
