COVID-19

Guidelines for filming in Portugal

 

At WALNUT FILMS we’ve been cracking on with new projects ever since lockdown RESTRICTIONS were first LIFTED in Portugal on 3 May 2020.

SAFETY remains our main PRIORITY, so we are closely following every update and training our team accordingly. To make things NICE AND SIMPLE for you, here are the main things you need to consider when shooting in Portugal to avoid the spread of COVID-19 but please get in touch if you have any particular questions or want to know more.

WALNUT FILMS brings you these summarised guidelines following the latest advice from the DGS, the Portuguese Health Authority HERE.

If you want the latest travel information into Portugal check out the Portuguese travel portal HERE.

You can also track all the updated guidelines for travellers in the EU official website HERE.

 

I – BEFORE FILMING

  • Brief crew on risks, protocol and hygiene requirements.

  • Make sure filming locations, both exterior and interior, allow for the appropriate minimum social distancing between crew

  • Whenever possible, work remotely for functions that can be accomplished in this way, including casting or other, to avoid contact between people.

  • Crews should be kept to the bare minimum to avoid large concentrations of people

  • The production must designate one or more elements of the crew, or, an external team, responsible for ensuring that all physical conditions are met for hygiene practices necessary for disease prevention

  • At each location, there must be a contingency plan prepared for immediate action if there is a suspicion or a positive COVID-19 case detected

 

II – ON SET

  • The minimum physical distance to keep between people at the filming location is 2 (two) meters (approximately- 6,5 ft.)

  • All locations must be isolated, and access and security must be properly controlled to avoid contact with external people

  • Crew and cast should be split into groups considering members that are difficult to replace. Crew call hours must be done in a phased manner, with the director and production crew defining the order of entry of the other teams at the filming locations to make sure there isn’t any grouping

  • Personal hygiene is a must. On location everyone should wear a mask (or visor), contactless thermometers should be provided to test the crew at each call time, disinfectant products must be available for personal use at entry and exit of set, and sets kit and props must also be disinfected regularly

  • Meals must be individually packed and distributed and taken in small groups and with different schedules or using a takeaway regime. Disposable materials, cutlery, and equipment should be used whenever possible

  • Art / Props The Art / Props Department must disinfect all props handled before and after using them

  • Camera / Lighting / Grips The Camera, Lighting, and Grips Departments should limit the use of their equipment to the same technicians and clean and sanitise it. Priority will be given to the existence of independent monitors for the Director and DOP, agency and client

  • For location sound recording, whenever possible, the use of a boom pole should be privileged. Whenever lavalier microphones are used, it is advised that individual and exclusive kits are assigned to each actor, properly identified, and packed individually and sanitised after each use

  • Anyone who displays symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever, cough or difficulty breathing, should be immediately removed from the filming location, the contingency plan must be triggered and applied a quarantine in a location indicated in that plan.