Production ceases on Big Brother after crew member exposed to COVID-19
The production has been shut down on Seven’s upcoming season of Big Brother as a crew member has been exposed to coronavirus (COVID-19).
An Endemol Shine Australia spokesperson confirmed the site has been locked down.
Pause has been hit on Big Brother as a crew member has tested positive for COVID-19
“We have been made aware that a Big Brother crew member has been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. The crew member is currently feeling well and showing no symptoms of the virus, however is being tested and is now self-isolating,” said the spokesperson.
“As a precaution the site is currently in lockdown pending testing and further advice. We continue to work within all Federal and State guidelines and will always make the health, safety and well-being of our cast and crew our number one priority. Housemates have been brought up to date with the current situation.”
Big Brother host Sonia Kruger spoke on Sunrise last week to advise strategies were in place to protect the cast from the virus, referencing the walls between the camera operators and the crew. She also confirmed the contestants had been told about the virus, joking that they were concerned the football codes may not go ahead. The 2020 AFL season has since been suspended.
The production shutdown comes just days after TV Blackbox reported an elimination on the program had to be undertaken twice as it wasn’t recorded the first time.
The contestants entered the Big Brother house three weeks ago to begin filming the new season. A premiere date has not yet been announced for the show.
Just to clarify: your headline says ‘…crew member tests positive for COVID-19’ (and reiterated in first sentence and image caption), however the Endemol statement quoted says “..a Big Brother crew member has been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.” and is “being tested”. Those are quite different things. Which is correct?
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Hi For Clarity,
Thanks for your comment. It appears there has been some miscommunication here, I am following it up, but to be safe I have changed the story to reflect the statement.
Thanks,
Hannah Blackiston – Mumbrella
Could things get any worse for Seven?
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It seems like it…
AOC chief Matt Carroll says athletes need to “prioritise their health”, Olympics likely to be postponed.
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I went for a walk up at North Head last night and there was a crew and photographers outside filming someone I presume was Sonia Kruger so not completely shut down by any means. That big eye was still shining brightly over that beautiful spot.
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