Filming halted on Vancouver TV productions due to COVID-19 testing delays

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Just weeks after filming resumed, some major productions have been halted around Vancouver because of delays in processing COVID-19 tests.

NEWS 1130 has independently confirmed that Riverdale and Batwoman have had production temporarily suspended due to this issue.

Nancy Drew and Charmed have also been told to hold off on filming. Legends of Tomorrow and Supergirl are also affected, according to ET Canada.

“Creative BC is liaising with government on behalf of industry to address the situation,” Karin Watson, with Creative BC, says in an email. “We understand there are challenges with testing capacity and parties are working to manage the volume. We understand the situation is temporary.”

This comes a week after Netflix signed a long-term deal with a studio in Burnaby.

The production of a slew of locally filmed TV shows has been put on hold due to COVID-19 testing delays. I've been able to independently confirm Riverdale & Batwoman production has been paused. Variety is reporting Charmed & Nancy Drew are also affected. For more listen @NEWS1130

— Martin MacMahon (@martinmacmahon) September 30, 2020

The film industry employs tens of thousands of people in the province, with the vast majority concentrated in Metro Vancouver. The movie industry represents tens of millions of dollars yearly for the local economy.

In addition to film crews, the industry employs thousands of others at rental companies, food vendors, and special effects companies.

Netflix, Warner Bros. and CW halted production in Canada in March due to the coronavirus. The industry was never ordered to shut down, but the shutdown affected 95 per cent of the 14,500 technicians and artists represented by IATSE Local 891.

READ ALSO:

• Most TV and film production shut down in Metro Vancouver due to COVID-19: Hollywood Reporter

• B.C. film industry hopes to be safely, fully back in action by summer

• Vancouver production booming again thanks to B.C.’s management of pandemic: studio head

• Netflix signs long-term deal with Burnaby studio

In June, film production in and around Vancouver picked up, with hopes of getting back to full speed by the end of the summer.

In September, records were set for film production in the Vancouver area, according to Pete Mitchell of Vancouver Film Studios, who said more than 60 projects would be simultaneously shooting in October.