COVID-19: Goa Government Cancels Permission for Film, TV Serial Shootings

The Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) on Thursday cancelled all permissions granted for film and television serial shootings. This is due to the rising cases of COVID-19 in the state. This move has caused chaos in the television fraternity. The reason being that several films and TV serial makers from Mumbai and Chennai had recently shifted their shootings to Goa in the wake of the surge in COVID-19 cases in their respective states.

All those currently in Goa shooting for their films and serials have been asked to wind up their schedules.

ESG’s Vice Chairman Subhash Phal Desai told PTI, “All permissions granted for film shootings in Goa have now been cancelled till the COVID-19 situation in the state comes under control. We will not allow any shooting of films or television serials in public or private properties.”

He added State government has enforced the imposition of Section 144 of CrPC. It bans the assembly of five or more people in one place. Due to which shootings cannot be permitted. The ESG will review its decision only after the COVID-19 situation is under control.

Nine TV shows relocated to Goa are wrapping up and returning to Mumbai. They are already hunting for new locations to resume work. Though the producers are worried about major losses they feel that health comes first.

On Wednesday, Goa reported 3,496 new COVID-19 cases and 71 fatalities, taking the tally of infections to 1,04,398 and the death toll to 1,443, as per official data.

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