June 2020

Source: film.britishcouncil.org

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Lockdown measures are starting to be eased after more than two months of restrictions. But how is everyday life changing? Here is a lockdown update from BBC:

Can I meet friends and relatives?

From Monday in England, you will be able to meet in groups of up to six people from different households outside – either in parks or now also in private gardens – as long as you remain 2m (6ft) apart.

From Friday in Scotland, members of two different households will be allowed to meet up outdoors if you maintain social distancing. Groups cannot be bigger than eight, and people are “strongly recommended” not to meet more than one other household per day.

In Wales, the BBC understands that people from two different households will be able to meet each other outdoors from Monday.

Groups of four to six people who are not in the same household can meet outdoors in Northern Ireland, although outdoor weddings with 10 people present may be allowed from 8 June.

Can I exercise more?

There is no longer any limit to the amount of time you can spend outside doing exercise, or in “open-air recreation” like sunbathing in England and, from Friday, in Scotland.

Currently, you can play outdoor sports such as golf or tennis with members of your household or with one other person from another household (while maintaining social distance).

From Monday, people in England will also be able to exercise outside with up to five others from different households. That means small groups of sport teams can resume fitness sessions, but social distancing must be maintained.

In Scotland, outdoor activities where physical distancing can be maintained can resume from Friday. This includes golf, tennis, bowls and fishing.

Households can also drive any distance in England to destinations such as parks and beaches. But they should not travel to Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, where the rules are different.

Why are rules different in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland?

Decisions on easing lockdown in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are the responsibility of each national government.

However, Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced the lifting of some lockdown measures in the country from 29 May.

As well as meeting people from one other household outside, people will also be able to sit or sunbathe in parks and open areas.

It will also be possible to travel – preferably by walking or cycling – for recreation, although people will be asked to remain “where possible” within or close to their own local area.

Rules in Wales are set to be relaxed next week, while any changes in Northern Ireland will be confirmed after the executive meets next Thursday.

Should I go back to work (and how will I get there)?

People who can work from home in England should continue to do so “for the foreseeable future”.

But the government says those who can’t, should travel to their workplace if it is open – and walk, cycle or drive if at all possible, to prevent overcrowding on public transport.

Those who do use buses or trains are being told to expect social-distance queuing and to wear face coverings.

Workplaces should be made safe for staff, with more cleaning, staggered working shifts and, for office workers, no hot-desking.

• How will transport need to change?

What if I go into other people’s homes to work?

If you’re a cleaner or plumber, and need to enter someone else’s home for your job, you are allowed to return to work.

No work should be carried out in the home of someone shielding or isolating because of Covid-19 symptoms, unless it’s a household emergency.

In homes where someone is clinically vulnerable – for example, where a person is aged over 70 – face-to-face contact should be avoided, and strict hygiene rules followed.

What are shielded people being told to do?

People in England and Wales who have been asked to stay at home and shield will be able to spend some time outdoors again from Monday 1 June, while continuing to follow social distancing rules. These people all have health conditions that make them particularly vulnerable to coronavirus.

It means those with families will be able to go out once a day with members of their household. People living alone can meet someone from another household while maintaining social distancing – keeping 2 metres apart.

Other parts of the UK have not yet recommended the same.

Can I move home?

House moves and viewings can resume again in England.

Potential buyers and renters will be able to visit show homes and view houses on the market to let or buy.

Anyone who has already bought a new home can visit it to prepare for moving in.

What about childminders, nannies and nurseries?

Childminders and nannies in England have now been told they can return to work – but only if they’re caring for youngsters who come from the same household.

During lockdown, registered childminders have either been closed or providing care for vulnerable children or children of key workers.

The government has said it would like pre-school nurseries in England to start reopening from 1 June.

When will schools and universities return?

The government’s ambition is for all primary school children in England to return to school before the summer for a month if feasible.

In England, pupils in nurseries, early years and Reception and Years 1 and 6 at primary schools will be able to return from 1 June.

Class sizes are expected to be no more than 15 pupils, with staggered breaks and frequent hand washing.

From 15 June, the government says secondary schools and further education colleges will be able to have face-to-face contact with Year 10 and 12 pupils who have key exams next year, in addition to their “continued remote, home learning”.

Meanwhile, there is uncertainty over whether students will be able to go to university in person in September or whether they will be taught partially or completely online. The university watchdog says new students must be told with “absolute clarity” how they will be taught before accepting a place.

• The government in Wales has ruled out schools reopening on 1 June
• Scotland‘s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said that children will return to school on 11 August.
• Some pupils in Northern Ireland will return to school in August

When can I go High Street shopping again?

All non-essential retailers – from department stores to small independent shops – can reopen in England from 15 June, if they put in place social distancing measures.

And outdoor markets and car showrooms can reopen from 1 June, if they are “Covid-secure”.

But the government has said these dates could change if coronavirus infection rates increase.

Garden centres have already reopened in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

They are now due to reopen in Scotland.

DIY chains – some of which stayed open throughout the lockdown – have also reopened many of their shops.

Source: www.bbc.com

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The Film and Television Charity has launched an online mental health platform, available for everyone who works behind the scenes in film, TV and cinema. The online community resource has been developed by Big White Wall and can now be accessed by everyone working behind the scenes in film and TV for free.

What it offers

Now, people can chat with others, get advice, take part in courses and feel connected. This online tool provides a safe space for industry professionals, allowing them to express their thoughts and concerns openly and anonymously.

As well as receiving support in group or one-to-one chats they can also access guided self- help courses on managing a range of mental health difficulties including depression, stress, panic and grief, as well as problem-solving and assertiveness training. The platform –accessed via the charity’s website at filmtvcharity.org.uk /community – also offers self- assessment tools and allows people to track their progress. Community posts are monitored 24/7 to ensure safety and anonymity.

Spread the word. You can access the platform here: https://filmtvcharity.org.uk/we-can-help/community/

The Whole Picture Programme

In light of the Covid-19 crisis, The Film and TV Charity is now accelerating its mental health action plan, known as the Whole Picture Programme. Launched in February after a survey for the Film and TV Charity found 87% of the UK film and TV workforce has experienced a mental health problem, the action plan is being extended rapidly to increase mental health support with wellbeing services developed in partnership with Mind. The Film and TV Charity continues to lead the Film and TV Taskforce on Mental Health, established to implement the Whole Picture Programme.

This comes as The Film and TV Charity distributes much-needed funds to workers and freelancers hit hard by the closure of productions across the UK. A survey 1 for The Film and TV Charity found that more than nine industry freelancers in 10 (93%) were no longer working due to the crisis while three quarters (74%) did not expect to receive any support since they were not eligible for government support schemes or had not been furloughed. Launched last month The Film and TV Charity’s Covid-19 Emergency Relief Fund – providing one-off grants of between £500 and £2,500 depending on need – awarded a total of £3 million across 2,000 applicants. A further £140,000 has been distributed via the PRESS RELEASE 2 charity’s long-standing Hardship Fund to nearly 400 people receiving stopgap grants of up to £500 covering essential living costs.

Meanwhile the charity’s free 24-hour Film and TV Support Line, providing advice on mental health as well as financial and legal problems, received over 1,000 calls in April, four times the average number during the two years prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Alex Pumfrey, CEO of The Film and Television Charity, said: “Mental Health Awareness Week is an opportunity to reflect on the mental wellbeing of a brilliant, successful and creative community that’s having to cope with the toughest challenges imaginable. The online community we’re launching today gives everyone in film, TV and cinema an opportunity to talk openly and anonymously, giving as well as receiving advice, comfort and support. Coupled with online courses on dealing with mental health difficulties, the online community will provide a much-needed resource for those who feel left out and isolated, and aren’t able to turn to company structures for help.

“As the industry now works out how best to return to work it is vital that we put both physical and mental wellbeing considerations front and centre of our plans for recovery. We need to consider the mental pressures and anxiety that thousands of people in the workforce are experiencing and be conscious of the fact that many will also have unresolved financial problems. The Film and TV Charity will continue to highlight the importance of mental wellbeing in our industry, and do all we can to support people through, and out of the current crisis.”

Online survey conducted by The Film and TV Charity completed by 1,895 people between 31 March and 3 April 2020

Source: The Film and TV Charity 

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We Are One: A Global Film Festival is a free 10-day online festival, exclusively on YouTube. It was born out of the idea that the film community can come together in times of crises – both in celebration of films and in support by providing much needed relief for COVID-19 efforts. The 10-day online festival is curated by the world’s most esteemed film festivals, seen below. It runs from May 29 – June 7 on www.youtube.com/weareone.

Each film or program will have a first screening at a scheduled time but don’t worry if you miss it! Many of the films will then be available on VOD to watch at your leisure through the course of the festival. You can find the We Are One Global Festival full schedule here.

All the films and programs are available for free during this limited time to raise funds for COVID-19 relief.

Participating Festivals:

Annecy International Animation Film Festival, Berlin International Film Festival, BFI London Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival, Guadalajara International Film Festival, International Film Festival & Awards Macao (IFFAM), International Film Festival Rotterdam, Jerusalem Film Festival, Mumbai Film Festival (MAMI), Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, Locarno Film Festival, Marrakech International Film Festival, New York Film Festival, San Sebastian International Film Festival, Sarajevo Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, Sydney Film Festival, Tokyo International Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival, and Venice Film Festival.

Source: www.weareoneglobalfestival.com

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