NEIGHBOURS and Home And Away are returning to five episodes a week next month as they resume filming after coronavirus shutdown production.
The Australian soaps had reduced their TV schedules to just two episodes a week in a bid to ensure they had enough material to keep on air amid the crisis.
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But they will soon return to their regular slots as work continues, albeit with strict health and safety guidelines in place.
Channel 5 said: “Neighbours and Home and Away will return to five episodes a week from Monday 11th May, resuming their usual Monday to Friday slots.”
Neighbours stars returned to work on Monday, with the The Daily Telegraph reporting “extreme measures” have been put in place to protect cast and crew.
There will be temperature checks and social distancing during filming, with the number of scenes being cut to reduce risk.
Neighbours’ executive producer Jason Herbison said: “It is our goal that impact to the screen will be minimal. We love a challenge and so far, we have found creative solutions to every issue.
“In some cases, cast will be scheduled separately but edited together to give the illusion of larger groups.
“There are no scenes that require intimacy or physical contact.”
Neighbours was halted on March 18, with bosses saying the cast’s health and well-being was more important than continuing to film.
It was expected to last several months, but the stars have already returned to Ramsay Street to film again.
It’s in stark contrast to the UK soaps, which show no prospect of going back to work and could go off air in July.
Meanwhile Channel 7’s Home and Away still remains on lockdown with the actors off work – but script writers are working from home.
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The Australian soaps film four to five months ahead of broadcast and take regular production breaks throughout the year so any short-term shut down wouldn’t immediately be seen on screen for several months.
Channel 5 confirmed that episodes will now only air twice a week instead of the usual five to spread the episodes out.
Before lockdown, actress Madeleine West, who plays Dee and Andrea Bliss in the soap has also revealed how bosses have banned on screen kisses alongside introducing a host of preventative measures on set.