News

Corona Virus/COVID-19 update for filming in Canada

 

To our valued customers, crew and vendors.  We’re tremendously pleased to announce that MOP has been filming, with increased Covid-19 safety measures in place, since June of 2020 and it has gone great !   We have shot many jobs now, both with the Director on the ground in Vancouver, and with the Director (and Client/Agency) all working remote.   Both situations have had great results and our production teams are very familiar with all aspects of remote transmitting  / remote shooting.  Being in the North American Time Zone for remote shoots has been a great benefit to many of our clients as well.

 

The situation regarding filming in Canada due to the effects of the Corona Virus is constantly changing.  For up to the minute information on how best to deal with the virus please go to the Canadian and provincial government health authority web sites listed below this message.

 

Canada / USA border:  Yes we can get your Directors, DP's, and Client/Agency in !     They will however, currently need to have a negative Covid test before they board the plane, and must quarantine /self isolate for 14 days upon arrival.   You also must now download and submit the ArriveCan app before you board the plane or you risk a fine/penalty.    Currently the Canada - USA border is allowing USA workers that are essential to the production to cross under r186(a) which is the regualtion we always use to enable access to Canada for our Directors/DP's for TV Commercial Advertising projects of a short term duration without a work permit.

Countries other than the USA: Anyone wishing to travel to BC, from any country other than the USA  (ie: UK /   European Citizens) to work, it is still a little more difficult.  If coming from Europe, the worker (eg: Director) will need to apply for a special Work Permit, and an immigration lawyer will need to be hired to do this.  The application/approval process takes from as little as 7 business days to up to 3 weeks before you can travel.  Bio-metrics will need to be done, and please note that if not currently in a major city,  the worker must fly to a major city to get bio-metrics paperwork done at an available / open VFS Global office /  VAC  Visa application center to be submitted with the application.   Once approved, the worker can travel to Canada, but they will still need to have a negative Covid test before boarding the flight AND must quarantine / self isolate for 14 days upon arrival.  We will update on this situation and the timing to obtain it as soon as possible !

PLEASE NOTE: Currently anyone arriving from outside of Canada (whether USA or other country, and even if you are a Canadian citizen) must have a negative Covid test reult before baording their flight, and QUARANTINE FOR 14 DAYS  - no exceptions.   They must also have a detailed isolation / quarantine plan to show the border officers (we help with this!).

THE NEXT FEDERAL GOVERMENT UPDATE IS EXPECTED ON 26 JANUARY 2021, however we do expect these restrictions to be in place for the foreseeable future.

Canada Border Services page: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/services/covid/non-canadians-canadiens-eng.html

• BC Center for Disease Control (Outbreak Projections)
• Vancouver Coastal Health
• Government of British Columbia
• Government of Ontario
• Government of Canada

 

Means of Production will continue to help our clients with inquires about filming in Canada, please feel free to reach out to us for the latest information.

 

If you have any questions or concerns please email us at info@meansofproduction.ca.

 

 

VANCOUVER PRODUCTION CO'S COVID-19 PLAN:

COVID SAFETY GUIDELINES: 

WORKSAFE BC GUIDELINES: 

 

 

 

Thank you,

 

 

David Bouck

Owner/Executive Producer