Film and TV shootings, which shifted their bases outside the state during the lockdown, are all set to return to Mumbai from next week. These shootings came to a halt after Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray announced a lockdown in the state due to rising Covid-19 cases.
In a special meeting which took place on 6 June with the concerned government bodies and entertainment industry, CM Thackeray shared the unlock plan of the state. However, the decision lies with the producers if they would like to continue shooting outside Mumbai or return and follow the protocols.
Relief and rehabilitation minister Vijay Wadettiwar announced that the government of Maharashtra has decided upon an unlock plan. According to him, districts have been divided on the basis of the weekly positivity rate and percentage of occupancy of oxygen beds. Lesser the positivity rate and occupancy of oxygen beds, more would be the relaxation in that particular district.
As per the announcement, Mumbai falls under Level 3, since its weekly positivity rate is 5.56% while the bed occupancy is 32.51%. As per the rules, cinema halls won’t be allowed to resume operations in the city. However, shootings can be resumed. But, one will have to strictly follow certain rules—the shoots will happen in a bubble and moreover, no movement will be allowed outside after 5 pm.
Insiders say that the limited timings would hamper the telecast of content, especially TV shows. They have made a special request for the 7 am to 7 pm shift. However, the request is still pending with the CM.
CM Thackeray has appealed that vaccination should be in place for all associated with the media and entertainment industry by the next two months. So, now with new standard operating procedures, the producers have a choice to start shoots in Mumbai with restricted timing and bio bubbles.