Gene Maddaus Senior Media WriterThe omicron wave has peaked across the country, and states including New York and California are once again easing up on their COVID restrictions.But in the entertainment industry, there is no rush to get back to “normal.” The studios and unions are largely holding firm on the set of COVID production protocols that has been in place since the summer of 2020.
Both sides are in talks this week on adjustments to the plan — which is formally set to expire on Sunday. But while there may be some tweaks, nobody is expecting the restrictions to be significantly loosened.“I don’t expect we’re going to relax the protocols until both sides feel comfortable that we’re in a different stage,” said Steve Dayan, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 399.
Theaters in New York will soon have a green light to lift mask mandates. But patrons will still have to show proof of vaccination, and some theaters may have to weigh whether patrons will feel more comfortable keeping masks in place for now.
Broadway theaters are keeping their mask mandates in place through April 30. Los Angeles is expected to keep most indoor masking requirements, such as in theaters, until at least late March.For the studios, the vast infrastructure of testing, contact tracing and safety compliance has come at a steep cost.
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