SAG-AFTRA, JPC and PGA Statement on Return to Work in Commercial and Independent Production

LOS ANGELES – SAG-AFTRA, The Joint Policy Committee, LLC (JPC) – the multiemployer bargaining group that represents commercial advertisers and advertising agencies and the Producers Guild of America (PGA) have agreed to lift the recommendation to pause production in Southern California effective Feb. 1, 2021, consistent with the expiration of the pause recommendation by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, and the strengthening of a number of provisions of Appendix J to the Los Angeles County Health Order, including the elimination of testing exemptions for short duration productions. 

While commercial and independent production may return to Southern California at this time, the parties maintain that film and television productions must abide by the industry-issued COVID-safety protocols and will continue to monitor and consider orders or recommendations issued by the Public Health Department. Additionally, SAG-AFTRA and the JPC will move forward with reviewing commercial productions to help ensure that safety on set is maintained for members and industry personnel.  

The Producers Guild of America’s (PGA) Production Safety Task Force published a comprehensive safety guide for producers as they go back to work titled “COVID Safety Protocols for Producing Independent Productions.” These guidelines offer a comprehensive and detailed recommendation of the steps independent producers should take to help secure the safety of cast and crew during the COVID-19 pandemic. These guidelines serve as a resource for independent producers to help navigate the existing guidelines and rules set by the industry’s studios, unions and guilds. 

About SAG-AFTRA

SAG-AFTRA represents approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other entertainment and media professionals. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. A proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO, SAG-AFTRA has national offices in Los Angeles and New York and local offices nationwide representing members working together to secure the strongest protections for entertainment and media artists into the 21st century and beyond. Visit SAG-AFTRA online at SAGAFTRA.org.