With productions heading to hiatus we at The Armoury are in the same boat as all you freelancers. With the announcements of all Disney, Netflix and now Warner Brothers productions going into hiatus, and government guidelines and advise changing from day to day, we thought we'd share what knowledge is available. What precautions can I take as a makeup artist? Use a hand sanitiser after contact with others.Use a IPA to sanitise all of your kit, not just your makeup brushes. If you are not using your makeup brushes, keep them in container. Try not to dip your brushes into a product, decant your product onto a palette with a disposable spatula. Do not mix products on your hands, if you need to warm a product before application use a wax palette instead. What can I do as a freelancer? (via Bectu)Where employers are taking action because of coronavirus, including cancelling a contract because of precautions against the spread of coronavirus, Bectu suggests you:– Find out whether your production is covered by a Bectu agreement in Feature Film, TV drama*, the construction sector of film or as a supporting artist, or in the advertising production sector. You will have some rights if you are covered by an agreement. Generally, in these industries, most workers are given a week’s notice even though there may not be a strict legal entitlement to it.* The TV drama agreement stipulates that members must receive the deal memo BEFORE the engagement.– Ask employers to offer at least two weeks of notice payment instead of the one week.– Press employers for early confirmation of a job, avoid accepting verbal assurances and ‘pencil’ bookings and agree a cancellation fee in advance of starting the job. How to keep yourself busy in isolation Update your CV Create your own hand sanitiser Work on person projectsGet creative, practice drawing, sculpting and character designOrganise your kitPractice your hair skills (what better time to perfect your victory rolls)Learn a new skill e.g. Hair punching or knottingClean your brushes Latest NHS advice Stay at home if you have either:a high temperature – you feel hot to touch on your chest or backa new, continuous cough – this means you've started coughing repeatedlyDo not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.You do not need to contact 111 to tell them you're staying at home.Testing for coronavirus is not needed if you're staying at home. How long to stay at home if you have symptoms, stay at home for 7 daysif you live with other people, they should stay at home for 14 days from the day the first person got symptomsIf you live with someone who is 70 or over, has a long-term condition, is pregnant or has a weakened immune system, try to find somewhere else for them to stay for 14 days.If you have to stay at home together, try to keep away from each other as much as possible. Useful links - NHS Worldwide production updatesKFTV BECTU UK GOV The Makeup Mill - Clean Machine* By Steff Kemp