COVID-19 Update: AKSM Media to Re-Cease Operations

OFFICE OF HEALTH SERVICES

Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release | December 1, 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA - Due to the Coronavirus' (COVID-19) recent impact on our community, AKSM Media has decided to take certain measures in order to maintain a healthy environment for our team, talent members and our clients. AKSM Media will re-close effective Monday, December 7, 2020. It is the hope of the Executive Office to re-evaluate opening again on or after after Monday, January 4, 2021 if it is deemed safe to resume. We are working and taking our lead directly from the Pennsylvania Department of Health and CDC. During this period AKSM Media’s Executive Team and Coronavirus Response Team will be able to assess the situation and its impact on our team. Below is a description of how each brand will be affected by the closures:

AKSM FILM STUDIOS:

All productions - other than broadcast news productions - are to cease all operations effective immediately. This does not include Nova Nightly who will continue with in-studio broadcasts only.

AKSM TOURING:

All public engagements and travel by talent members will continue to be suspended. This includes - but is not limited to - concerts, meet and greets, lectures, talent appearances, and other public engagements that would force a talent member to be in a crowd of individuals.

AKSM PHOTOGRAPHY:

All in-studio operations have been suspended at all studio locations. As of today, on-location sessions may proceed as long as the precautions listed below are followed by clients and the photo team. Photography in terms of photojournalism is still allowed to proceed as normal but we urge all photographers to take the necessary precautions to ensure a healthy environment. We hope to resume studio operations on Monday, January 4, 2021 but will take our lead from the PA Department of Health and the CDC.

Photography Session Precautions:

  • All team members MUST wear masks for the duration of the session

  • Clients MUST wear masks while not being photographed

  • Social distancing measures MUST be practiced

  • All clients MUST sign a COVID-19 Symptoms and Understanding Waiver

  • No indoor sessions

  • Session may be cancelled at anytime by the client or team member citing health risks

  • A team member will call 5 days and 1 day prior to session for pre-screening health questions

The actions, terms, and precautions listed above include photography and videography services provided by Lauren Brooks Designs. Lauren Brooks will continue to provide virtual design and marketing services to her clients via a secure telecommunication method.

AKSM PRESS & AKSM NEWS:

All online news sites will remain active and will operate as normal with regular posting schedules and news updates. All in-office staff are asked to work from home.

Additionally, all team members must work remotely from home to the best of their abilities starting on Monday, December 7th. This closure is only limited to non-essential team members. Essential team members is defined as the following groups:

  • Health Operations

  • Public Safety and Security

  • Facilities

AKSM Media continues to stay aware of the latest information from public health professionals from World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), State Department, and the Pennsylvania Department of Health to ensure we are aware of the most recent updates on the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The health and safety of our talent, clients, staff and team is our main priority.

While the total number of coronavirus cases in the United States remains relatively small, experts expect this number to grow as testing increases and more individuals seek care. Currently, the key recommendations from public health agencies to prevent the spread of coronavirus are regular, thorough, hand-washing and that symptomatic individuals remain home rather than going to a public place.

AKSM Media has implemented or planned the following to increase awareness and protect our community:

  1. Making touch-points a high priority for cleaning

  2. Outfitting key areas with disposable disinfectant wipes to sanitize desks, tables, and technology tools between uses

  3. Placing hand sanitizers throughout buildings, buses and vehicles and encouraging their regular use

  4. For those team members that are currently serving our International Offices and/or have future travel scheduled; all travel, teams and shows outside of North America are currently suspended until further notice

  5. Appearances by talent at domestic events in the United States have been canceled due to crowd concerns

  6. Ceasing of all non-essential operations

  7. Closure of all photography sessions

We will reevaluate the situation as it unfolds and release an update no later than Monday, January 4, 2021.

We are monitoring the State Department’s Travel Advisories and lean on the in-country host recommendations. Currently, the CDC has recommended against nonessential travel. We will closely monitor travel recommendations and share updates if the situation changes.

For more information on AKSM Media’s response to the coronavirus, please visit our online Coronavirus Response Center.

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