KUALA LUMPUR – Only drama, advertisement, and documentary productions that have been postponed due to the movement control order under the National Recovery Plan (NRP) will be allowed to resume shooting in Phase 2.
Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said this was among the main conditions of approval for the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia's (Finas) special filming certificate in Phase 2.
He said other conditions were that filming can only be conducted in states that are in Phase 2, and that they can only involve locations or premises outside the studio.
“Productions can use any locations or premises on the condition that they have a buffer zone from residential areas, following approval of the authorities.
“Shooting activities should be carried out according to the Filming Bubble Protocol (PREP), which involves minimal production crew, and are not allowed to go beyond the filming zone radius,” he said in a statement today.
Saifuddin said each production has a stipulated cooling period before being allowed any new filming.
He said other conditions include the risk control enforcement aspect, with approval only given to production staff who have completed two-dose Covid-19 vaccination.
They must undergo health screenings before, during, and after the filming.
Apart from that, the production company should appoint a filming protocol supervisor responsible for compliance with all standard operating procedures (SOPs) stipulated by the government, as one of the conditions for approval of the special filming certificate.
Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that the government has made some changes to the SOPs under the NRP for Phases 1 and 2, among them being approval to reopen outdoors filming in strict compliance with the SOPs under Phase 2.
The decision was made following the positive development of vaccination rates in the country.
Saifuddin said the decision was among the government’s continuous efforts to stimulate the economic viability of arts and creative industry practitioners, through competitive productions and employment opportunities.
He said approval for filming activities under Phase 2 is guided by the implementation of stringent conditions under PREP, which is regulated by Finas.
“The PREP initiative also integrates controls of filming activities to move in isolated, controlled, and limited bubble zones through compliance with key conditions under the special filming certificate’s approval,” he said.
He also called on production companies to always comply with all the set conditions to avoid any legal, safety, and health implications, especially in the government’s efforts to combat the pandemic.
Further details on the SOPs and guidelines can be found on www.kkmm.gov.my and www.finas.gov.my. – Bernama, July 20, 2021
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