MUMBAI:  The federation of western India cine employees (FWICE) has issued a notice asking companies to provide employees with face masks while at work in order to reduce direct exposure to the coronavirus.

It also urges them to provide hand sanitizers to disinfect themselves.

The letter goes on to state: “We have also requested the producers' association to make the masks and sanitizers available to the workers on the sets/shootings/studios. In the case of non-compliance by the production houses or producers, you are requested to inform FWICE and it shall take up the matter with the respective production house or producer."

In case an emergency, FWICE states that the shooting/setting work will have to be stopped till the emergency is lifted and things get back to normal. “We shall ensure complete safety of our workers and technicians,” it said.

With more confirmed cases, India has also upped its safety measures by restricting travel, urging people to adopt work-from-home policies and using proper hygiene. The spread of COVID-19 has also led to the postponement of the Indian Premier League to 15 April as well as the suspension of the India-South Africa series.