Australian soap Neighbours halts production AGAIN… after the soap was forced to shut down just last week due to a coronavirus scare
Neighbours ceased filming on Friday night, just days after the cast had returned to set.
The Australian soap had planned to film until its scheduled production break in early April, but COVID-19 restrictions pushed the finishing time forward by one week.
The first temporary shutdown was announced last Wednesday, which also happened to be the Australian soap’s 35-year anniversary.
Break: Neighbours ceased filming on Friday night, just days after the cast had returned to set. The Australian soap had planned to film until its scheduled production break in early April, but COVID-19 restrictions pushed the finishing time forward by one week. Pictured: The cast
The ensemble cast had only returned to the set in Nunawading, Melbourne on Monday, after an employee who had come into contact with a COVID-19 patient tested negative.
Production has now shut down yet again on Friday night, with plans to resume in mid-April.
‘To allow us to refine the Neighbours production model in light of the current Government restrictions in place, Fremantle has decided to start its planned Easter break one week earlier than scheduled,’ a spokesperson told TV Tonight.
Around in circles: The first temporary shutdown was announced last Wednesday, which also happened to be the Australian soap’s 35-year anniversary. Pictured: Stars Jackie Woodburne and Ryan Moloney
Halted: The ensemble cast had only returned to the set in Nunawading, Melbourne on Monday, after an employee who had come into contact with a COVID-19 patient tested negative. Pictured (L to R) actors Jane Allsop, Ben Turland, Tim Robards and April Rose Pengilly
They went on: ‘The series will break for two weeks from the end of shoot this evening. The health, safety and well-being of our cast and crew and all involved on the series is our priority. Production is planned to resume April 14 with no interruption to on-air delivery.’
Before the early holiday, producers had been attempting to take precautions to reduce the spread of the deadly virus, including dividing up the crew and allocating work areas to enable social distancing.
Actress Madeleine West, who plays Dee Bliss, revealed preventative measures were being enforced on set.
‘We are feeling the coronavirus pinch’: Actress Madeleine West, who plays Dee Bliss and also directs episodes, revealed that preventative measures were being enforced on set
‘Even out here in the iconic lot, we are now feeling the coronavirus pinch as our studio goes into lockdown.
‘We were notified via a stern email on Monday that kissing and hugging, the hallmarks of a great soap, have been outlawed in favour of handshakes. Yesterday saw contact further reduced to elbow taps,’ she wrote in her column for 9Honey.
Madeleine added that makeup artists were wearing hazmat suits and face masks to avoid direct contact with the actors.
As of Friday night, there are 3180 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Australia and 13 deaths.
Scary: As of Friday night, there are 3180 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Australia and 13 deaths