The following is a plain language guide to the restrictions on Film Permits in MOME Commissioner’s Directive No. 11 of December 23, 2020:
• Cast and crew: No more than 100 cast and crew at exterior locations on public property through February 28, 2021. In COVID-19 Red Zones, OFTB will not issue Film Permits for any activity, except to news media. To find out where the Red Zones are, please visit www.nyc.gov/covidzone.
• Affirmation: Film Permit applicants must submit the New York Forward Safety Affirmation before they submit a permit application.
• Safety Plan: Film Permittees must conspicuously post their COVID-19 Reopening Safety Plan on the location and make it available to authorities, including NYPD and MOME Field Representatives. If it is not practicable to conspicuously post the Plan on location, the Film Permittee must provide the Plan to all cast and crew by email or in hard copy in advance of the
permit date and make a hard copy of the Plan available to authorities on demand at the location.
• Intermittent Traffic Control: Intermittent vehicular traffic control may be granted pursuant to 43RCNY section 9-02(c)(12).
• NYPD Movie/TV Unit: Pyrotechnics, police uniforms on public property, or potentially dangerous activities that require the presence of the NYPD Movie/TV Unit under 43 RCNY section 9-02(c)(11) (e.g., stunts, helicopters, firearms, or simulated firearms) may be permitted.
• Limits on Locations (not applicable to news media): No locations (1) within 21 feet of an establishment participating in the NYC Open Restaurants program without written consent of the establishment; (2) that may infringe upon or conflict with the flow of traffic in the surrounding area or the use of any part of a street that is in the Open Streets program, as indicated on the Department of Transportation’s website; or (3) that may interfere with the New York City Department of Education Outdoor Learning Initiative. (Currently, MOME is not limiting locations near hospitals, mobile COVID-19 testing centers, and makeshift morgues unless they interfere with COVID-19 response.) A Hotspot map is online at https://tinyurl.com/y3yd2gnm.
• Parking: Permits may provide for held parking on one side of each approved block, including roadways adjacent to a film production facility, in OFTB’s discretion. Film Permits may allow for vehicles requiring an NYC DOT over-dimensional vehicle permit. No craft service activities, including tents, tables, and chairs, on sidewalks or curb lanes anywhere; however, food trucks may be allowed. (No buffet-style catering or craft services is allowed on any outdoor public property.) The COVID-19 emergency is a rapidly changing situation and MOME will be updating its website regularly to reflect the latest information available. Please check MOME’s website frequently for updates.