Written by Jeremy Mittman

Hollywood’s unions and producers extended their Return-to-Work agreement through September 30, 2022 amidst surging COVID-19 cases in Los Angeles. 

The initial agreement between the AMPTP, DGA, IATSE, SAG-AFTRA, and Teamsters/Basic Crafts was signed in September 2020 and established COVID-19 safety protocols for guild productions. Since then, it has been extended eight times. 

In May of 2022, the agreement was updated to reflect different rules based on COVID-19 hospitalization rates in the metropolitan area where the production is taking place. 

Productions in Los Angeles are currently operating under more stringent protocols because more than 8 new COVID-19 hospitalization admissions are being reported per 100,000 people per week on covidactnow.org. If the numbers fall under 8 new hospitalization admissions per 100,000 people per week, Los Angeles productions may follow more relaxed protocols. The extended agreement maintains this flexibility and other existing protocols set forth in earlier versions with two slight modifications:

• Meals: Self-serve food service that requires employees to share utensils (such as tongs) are permitted for fully vaccinated employees only.
• Transportation: Transportation provided by the producer may operate at full capacity, but all cast and crew on board must wear a face mask. In cases where a passenger is unable to wear a face mask, such as someone who has had makeup applied, physical distancing is required.

AMPTP’s statement announcing the agreement extension and outlining the two modifications can be found here.