ONLY 20 people will be allowed to be on a set during film-making, said senior minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob today after Putrajaya agreed to allow production companies to resume work next week.

He said production companies must adhere to strict regulations and includes not having buffets for the actors involved.

“As we have agreed to allow film production to resume business, they must follow strict SOP.

“They can start work after Hari Raya. But because of the SOP, I think maybe at the end of June, they can start doing what they do.

“Some of the SOPs that they have to follow are; conduct auditions through phone calls or via online platforms, they have to have travel history of all crew members, no more than 20 people on one set or at a scene, and no food catering or buffet for artistes. They can only have takeaways.”

He added make-up artists must wear face shield while working.

“They have to wear face shields, and they have to wash their hands before and after each session.”

Yesterday, Communications and Multimedia Minister Saifuddin Abdullah said government has given the green light for the filming industry to resume its activities after Raya.

The approval, he said, was given during the National Security Council meeting.

Previously, the Film Directors’ Association of Malaysia (FDAM) had urged the government to agree to the industry’s request for permission to continue production works before Raya.

This would give people a chance to earn money ahead of the celebrations, said president Ahmad Ibrahim.

According to FDAM data, 875 film and TV players, including 35 of its members, have lost their source of income following the March 18 enforcement of the movement control order to stem the spread of Covid-19. – May 20, 2020.