BRITAIN has announced a 500 million-pound (US$647 million) fund to help television and film companies restart productions after companies complained they were unable to get insurance because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Shoots shut down abruptly in March as the novel coronavirus spread and the government imposed a lockdown. As filmmakers try to get back to work, they find some insurers have stopped providing the COVID-19 coverage they need to secure financing.

The government said the insurance fund will be available to all productions made by companies where at least half the production budget is spent in the U.K., and is estimated to cover more than 70 percent of the film and TV production market. (SD-Agencies)