MUMBAI: It’s not confirmed yet. But sources revealed to indantelevision.com that efforts are on to get TV and other productions kickstarted again. This is even as prime minister Narendra Modi announced an extension of the lockdown till 3 May this morning and a stricter enforcementof Covid2019 restrictions over the coming week. Timelines when the greensignal to resume production have not been revealed as yet, but broadcasters, producers and the government seem to be getting on the same page and a date is expected to be announced.

When they do start, it is proposed that  they will do so with heavy security ensuring temperature screening and regular checks, minimum cast and crew in  lower double digit numbers, limited camera unit staff, with adequate social distancing, daily sanitation of the sets, an ambulance on standby,  masks, gloves and hand sanitisers being used at all times, less lavish sequences, avoiding casting and hiring  elderly cast and crew and few props.

Sources share that the content  production sector has incurred losses running into thousands of crores since the outbreak of the pandemic. Producers have been at loose ends and have been requesting landlords to waive off rentals for studios where they have their sets standing. Broadcasters normally fund the productions, but with no fresh programming available for nearly a month now, they have been losing ad revenues. To top it all, there are the thousands of unionised crew who have seen their earnings vanish and if this continues for long, it could end up being even more problematic.

A lawyer working closely with the production sector said that unless this is resolved, litigation could be the order of the day.

Hence, producers, broadcasters, unions and the Maharashtra government are currently working on drawing up new measures that will have to be followed without any exception.

Please keep visiting indiantelevision.com to get further updates.

(Updated at 10:30 am on 14 April 2020)