FSC Releases COVID-19 Task Force Update

FSC Releases COVID-19 Task Force Update

LOS ANGELES — The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has released another update about the progress made by their COVID-19 Task Force over the last few weeks.

This is the text of the FSC update:

Since late April, the FSC COVID-19 Task Force has been meeting twice weekly — as well as speaking with advisory groups of producers, performers and medical experts — to discuss benchmarks for lifting the production hold and developing the guidance needed to safely resume production.

Production Hold

The voluntary production hold related to coronavirus remains in effect. It is neither safe to shoot, nor is any film production legally permitted in production hubs like Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Southern Florida. Various regions are implementing a phased approach to easing restrictions, but no region has entered a phase of reopening that allows for film production to resume.

The Task Force is closely monitoring developments within the mainstream entertainment industry. In a live roundtable earlier today, California Governor Gavin Newsom said that his office will publish guidelines for the entertainment industry on Monday. Representatives of his office were not specific about when production could resume, saying that it could vary by jurisdiction.

We cannot yet give a firm date when the adult industry production hold will be lifted. That timing is largely dependent on the orders from various government agencies as they move through the phases of their reopenings. The Task Force is working to be able to provide more specific guidance about this.

Production Health & Safety Guidelines

In the meantime, our highest priority is completing Production Health & Safety Guidelines for the adult industry. We have contracted with an industrial hygienist and are working with industry stakeholders to produce guidelines to reduce risk on-set for a variety of productions and provide guidance about health screening and COVID-19 testing.

The Task Force has received the first draft of the guidelines from the industrial hygienist and provided initial feedback. Next, we will seek feedback from content buyers, producers, directors, talent and crew on the second draft to ensure that the guidelines are practical for adult production.

We will publish these guidelines publicly as soon as they are ready. While our guidance can not replace your own legal counsel, we hope to provide protocols that can help lower risk on-set, regardless of where, how or when you shoot.

Advisory Groups

Since our last update, we invited the nearly 200 people who indicated in our survey that they wanted to be involved with the Task Force to participate in listening sessions. Last week, members of the Task Force joined these performers and crew in a series of group calls that provided us with valuable insights we will incorporate into our decisions and guidance moving forward.

The Task Force has also begun to hold regular calls with large producers and content buyers to discuss how production can safely resume. We are pooling knowledge from different areas of the industry to help create meaningful and effective guidance.

Tomorrow, we are meeting with a panel of medical experts, including representatives from PASS-certified lab networks and experts outside of the industry. Their input will provide important guidance about how to incorporate COVID-19 testing into our Production Health & Safety Guidelines.

Once we have draft guidelines, we will schedule another round of calls with production crews and talent to determine if and how they can be effectively implemented.

Legal Liability

As members of the adult industry discuss when and how to return to production, they will need to evaluate their tolerance for risk. Ultimately, any decision a business makes needs to be based upon the regulatory rules of their jurisdictions, the needs of their specific business and the advice of their lawyer. 

FSC is gathering as much information as possible to assist businesses in making those individual decisions.

Future Updates

Please follow FSC Crisis Communications on Twitter to remain informed about the activities of the FSC COVID-19 Task Force, as well as any developments regionally and nationally that impact the adult industry.

For more from the FSC, visit their website.

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Justices Alito, Thomas Invoke Victorian-Era Morality Law, Raising Censorship Concerns

Several national publications reported this week on widespread concern among Free Speech advocates after U.S. Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas repeatedly invoked during a hearing the infamous segregation-era law the Comstock Act, which was the cornerstone of U.S. censorship of sexual material from the 1870s until the 1970s.

TeamSkeet Releases 1st Installment of 'Ripe for the Taking'

TeamSkeet has released the first installment of its latest feature, "Ripe for the Taking," starring TeamSkeet March AllStar Scarlett Alexis.

Skinfluential Management's FansFuel Acquires Fanwire

Creator stats and affiliate marketing platform FansFuel has acquired creator account management tool Fanwire.

Pineapple Support Taps Kasey Kei as Brand Ambassador

Pineapple Support has named veteran performer and content creator Kasey Kei as its latest brand ambassador.

Nebraska AV Bill Moves Forward Despite Privacy, Free Speech Concerns

Nebraska’s unicameral Legislature has given first-round approval to LB 1092, the state’s version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists.

Eva Maxim, Katrina Colt Headline 'Cumming to LA' From Cherry Kiss

Eva Maxim and Katrina Colt star with Vince Karter in 2021 XBIZ Europas Female Performer of the Year Cherry Kiss' "Cumming to L.A.," from Evil Angel.

AEBN Celebrates 25th Anniversary

The Adult Entertainment Broadcast Network (AEBN) is celebrating its 25th year in business this week.

Performers in Meta Blacklisting Lawsuit Seek to Preserve Antitrust Claims

Adult Performance Artists Guild board officers Alana Evans, Kelly Pierce and Ruby have informed a California court that, although they want to drop their lawsuit claiming that Meta conspired with OnlyFans to blacklist rival premium fan platforms’ talent, they may still pursue antitrust claims in the future.

Skylar Snow Headlines 'Infidelity 4' From Sweet Sinner

Skylar Snow toplines "Infidelity 4," the latest release from Mile High Media studio brand Sweet Sinner.

Serenity Cox Stars in 'Enjoy It' From MILFY

Serenity Cox stars with Alberto Blanco in "Enjoy It," from Vixen Media Group studio imprint MILFY.

Show More