The Block has already been confirmed for next year

Diehard fans of The Block will no doubt be thrilled to learn that the hit show has already been confirmed for 2021. 

Executive producer and creator, Julian Cress, confirmed the news to Realestate.com.au this week. 

Mr Cress even dished some details about the current season of the show, that’s still in production and expected to air later this year, and revealed just how much COVID-19 has affected the series. 

Mr Cress told the publication that he’s just finished the deal on The Block’s site for next year. 

‘I can’t tell you where it is, but I can tell you it will be happening,’ he said, with Channel Nine having to plan so far in advance due to council requirements. 

Mr Cress also spoke about how the coronavirus pandemic impacted this year’s season of the show, which is set to finish production this weekend.

He said that producers asked crew on site to limit their interactions with outsiders after work, to help stop the spread of COVID-19 on set. 

‘The instructions to all our people are, ”you come here and you work, and then you go straight home and you don’t go anywhere else,” he said.

He added that open inspections for the properties this year have been cancelled due to restrictions on large gatherings and added that auctions will still go ahead, with a small crowd of 20 people bidding. 

He also said that he expects the houses at the site in Melbourne’s Brighton to sell for a cool $3.5million and up. 

‘There always seems to be people around here with money to burn,’ Mr Cress said. 

Last month, host of the show, Scott Cam, told A Current Affair about how this year’s season is the ‘most challenging’ they’ve ever done. 

He said that producers had downsized the latest project after several teams had struggled with the mammoth task of renovating The Oslo hotel in St Kilda last year.

‘But of course, then COVID-19 turns up and now it is probably the most challenging Block we have ever done,’ he said.

Filming was halted for weeks and the contestants sent home as a precaution as the pandemic escalated and states and territories began to close their borders. 

Last month, the teams and workers returned to the site in Brighton, Melbourne, to continue production, albeit with strict social distancing rules in place.

‘We are policing the 1.5 metre rule. It’s very important on The Block that we have sufficient room between each person,’ foreman Keith Schleiger explained. 

On-site safety measures include limiting how many people can gather in rooms and hallways, disinfecting surfaces, regular temperature checks, and making sure all the cast and crew have had the flu vaccine.

Producers have also increased the availability of hand sanitiser and face masks.

Scott said there was no question they would finish the season, but stressed that keeping everyone safe remained a priority.

‘It’s going to be a terrific Block because we are going to get through adversity and it’s going to be great,’ he said.

The Block 2020 will air on Channel Nine later this year.