Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s stay-at-home orders were announced Friday, April 16 with new directives including new public health measures and enforcement that comes into effect this weekend.
COVID-19 cases in Ontario has been steadily rising as the province reported 4,362 cases and 34 deaths Saturday.
According to the Government of Ontario’s website, the stay at home order gives power to police officers to stop and question anyone who are outside of their homes.
For crew members working in the tv and film industries, its advised that folks should be carrying their call sheet at all times as well as filming permits especially when stopped.
Producers are also asked to provide employment letters to crew.
Fire Grove Studio, a women of colour Ottawa-based production company, released their Quick Guide For Essential Workers that includes what folks should be carrying if stopped by police as well as legal services resources contacts.
Unfortunately, unpaid and honorarium-based projects such as student films and volunteer productions are not considered an essential business and risks getting a fine if stopped.
Thankfully, multiple police units, including the Toronto Police, Hamilton, Peel, Niagara, Ottawa, London and Thunder Bay, have all publicized on social media that they will not be conducting random stops with the province’s stay-at-home order.
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