The Screen Actors Guild or SAG-AFTRA announced in a message on their website this week that, due to surge in COVID-19 cases in California and the LA area, “most entertainment productions will remain on hiatus until the second or third week of January if not later.” The letter was signed by SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris and Executive Director David White.

This comes as little surprise going into the new year, while there is a lot of light at the end of this tunnel that has been this year, it is still important to be cautious and vigilant. SAG-AFTRA agrees with this sentiment saying they “will continue to monitor this situation and its impact on production and employment in all contract areas and will take appropriate measures as needed to ensure the continued safety of our members and others.”

Most productions are on their yearly holiday break, but this will be extended for the foreseeable future. Hopefully only into January. Though if this year is any indication, anything is on the table and more delays will not be shocking. With much of this year up in the air, it is clear that the beginning of 2021 will be similar for the industry and California.

SAG-AFTRA is a union that represents thousands of artists in the industry from singers to journalists.