Lionsgate, a major Hollywood studio, is reinstating mask mandates for many of its employees in response to a surge in COVID-19 cases in Los Angeles. In an internal email acquired by Deadline, Lionsgate/Starz’s response manager, Sommer McElroy, outlined the new requirements.
The studio’s employees at its flagship office in Santa Monica, California, will be required to wear a medical-grade face mask, such as a surgical mask or a KN95 or N95 mask. There are some exceptions to the rule, including when an employee is alone in an office with the door closed, actively eating or drinking in their work area, or if they are the only individual present in a large open workspace.
The memo also emphasized the need for daily self-screening before coming to the office. Employees displaying COVID-19 symptoms or who have traveled internationally in the past 10 days are required to stay home and inform McElroy.
This move comes as a response to the escalating COVID-19 cases in Los Angeles in recent weeks. Last month, the Los Angeles County of Public Health reported “small increases in COVID-19 indicators.” This situation emphasizes the importance of constant vigilance and adaptable safety protocols in the face of the ongoing pandemic.