COVID outbreak halts production of popular TV shows
Production of The Masked Singer has been suspended as a result of several crew members receiving a positive test result for COVID-19. And filiming of Millionaire Hot Seat, which is done in an adjacent studio, has also been suspended.
In a statement from the Masked Singer producers, they claimed “the health and safety of the community, and our staff and production partners is our number one priority.”
The entire production team, including the masked singers, the host and panellists are now in self-isolation. They are all being monitored and are in constant contact with medical authorities.
In the statement Network 10 said it is working closely with the Victorian Government and the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services and is providing all crew with as much support and assistance as possible.
One of the judges on The Masked Singer, Dannii Minogue, was granted an exemption from hotel quarantine in Queensland when she returned from the US in July.
Chief health officer Jeannette Young said Ms Minogue was given an exemption because she had "a COVID-safe plan managed by a third party".
There has been no suggestion that Ms Minogue is responsible for the outbreak.
The show was granted an exemption to keep filming in Melbourne despite the city’s strict stage four lockdown restrictions.
“There are some productions if they weren’t to continue then they would be lost to Victoria,” Premier Daniel Andrews told reporters on Sunday.
“It’s done on a case-by-case basis and it’s always accompanied by a COVIDSafe Plan.”
Victoria’s chief health officer Brett Sutton said some crew had tested positive but insisted it did not necessarily mean there had been a breach of any guidelines.
The filming of Eddie McGuire's quiz show ground to a halt at the request of the Victorian government.
Are you surprised that filming was allowed to continue in Victoria given the state’s strict stage four restrictions?
Don't mean to be a party pooper..but I cannot stand this show. The concept is quite good but so glad Covid has gotten rid of those siliy judges for a while and the infernal baby voices of the contestants!
Milionaire Hotseat (which I like) has also been halted.