The spread of COVID-19 Delta continues, causing fear and panic in many parts of the world. Hollywood studios are trying to find ways to keep filming even with the new pandemic. Netflix today issued the first mandate that all employees on any of its U.S. productions must be immunized in an effort to manage the disease's impact on the entertainment business.AdvertisementThe mandate specifically refers to workers in Zone A, which is the area closest to where actors are walking (mostly without PPE due to the requirements for the scene), saying and doing their actor things. According to The Hollywood Reporter this mandate is in line with the guidelines issued a few months back by industry stewards from the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, SAG-AFTRA and IATSE. These guidelines were heavily influenced by vaccinations as the determining factor in whether productions would be allowed. Netflix is the first studio that has taken advantage of the guilds' offer to require workers to be vaccinated for COVID.The news of Netflix's new policy adoption comes just days after Sean Penn, actor on Starz's show Gaslit, demanded that all cast members and crew be immunized in order to work. The THR article mentions that Netflix may allow exemptions for religious, medical or age reasons. This seems like a dangerous loophole and cites a source who suggests that some productions may try to avoid imposing a strict mandate. It is a significant step forward and an indication that COVID concerns will continue to shape Hollywood sets, even if there are hopes for a normal 2021.
