The BBC is to resume filming on flagship shows EastEnders and Top Gear next month, although stars will have to do their own hair and make-up and older actors are likely to face stricter physical distancing rules.
Charlotte Moore, the BBC’s director of content, said filming on the two shows would restart by the end of June, with plans to resume production on other major BBC dramas as soon as possible.
The World Health Organization (WHO) guidance on face masks has remained consistent during the coronavirus pandemic. It has stuck to the line that masks are for healthcare workers – not the public.
“Wearing a medical mask is one of the prevention measures that can limit the spread of certain respiratory viral diseases, including Covid-19. However, the use of a mask alone is insufficient to provide an adequate level of protection, and other measures should also be adopted,” the WHO has stated.
Nevertheless, as some countries have eased lockdown conditions, they have been making it mandatory to wear face coverings outside, as a way of trying to inhibit spread of the virus. This is in the belief that the face covering will prevent people who cough and sneeze ejecting the virus any great distance.
There is no robust scientific evidence – in the form of trials – that ordinary masks block the virus from infecting people who wear them. There is also concerns the public will not understand how to use a mask properly, and may get infected if they come into contact with the virus when they take it off and then touch their faces.
Also underlying the WHO’s concerns is the shortage of high-quality protective masks for frontline healthcare workers.
Nevertheless, masks do have a role when used by people who are already infected. It is accepted that they can block transmission to other people. Given that many people with Covid-19 do not show any symptoms for the first days after they are infected, masks clearly have a potential role to play, especially on crowded public transport as people return to work..
Sarah Boseley Health editor
The production of major films and TV shows has been shut down since mid-March, when the Guardian revealed that Line of Duty and Peaky Blinders, two of the most popular shows on British television, were the first UK shows to suspend filming.
“I’m pleased to announce that we plan to begin filming again on both EastEnders and Top Gear by the end of next month,” said Moore, in a blogpost on the BBC website. “We’re also exploring ways to restart filming on more dramas and other major BBC shows as soon as possible.”
Moore said the restart of filming would follow new physical distancing guidelines being put in place by the industry following discussions with the government.
“Of course, we will be working within government guidelines,” said Moore. “Crews will be strictly limited. Cast members will do their own hair and makeup. Social distancing measures will be in place.
“We want to serve our audiences and help TV production get back on its feet, but the number one priority will remain the safety and well-being of production teams and those who work with them.”
It has been suggested that older actors, those more at risk of serious illness if they contract the coronavirus, may have scaled-back roles, at least when production initially resumes.
Kevin Lygo, ITV’s director of television, said last month that older characters such as Coronation Street’s Ken Barlow, played by 87-year-old William Roache since 1960, could be sidelined for a time post-lockdown. The character recently moved into a luxury retirement complex.
“Some people who are in a dangerous zone for age or health reasons – they won’t be there, I’m sure, for a time,” he said in a virtual interview for the Edinburgh TV Festival. “I don’t want Ken Barlow to get sick on my watch, so we will be mindful.”
ITV plans to resume shooting Emmerdale and Coronation Street, which along with EastEnders have had their number of weekly episodes rationed, “within weeks”. The broadcaster has said Emmerdale will run out of episodes at the end of this month, and Coronation Street in June.
