Australian soap opera Neighbours has resumed filming after a temporary shutdown due to a coronavirus scare. Production halted on Wednesday after an employee came into contact with a COVID-19 patient, but the staff member tested negative, allowing filming to restart on Friday at the Nunawading, Melbourne set.
Producers are implementing measures to reduce virus spread, including dividing the crew into work areas to enable social distancing. The cast will not return until Monday, and intimate scenes are being limited, as reported by TV Tonight. Makeup artists are now wearing hazmat suits and face masks to avoid direct contact with actors.
Actress Madeleine West, who plays Dee Bliss and directs episodes, wrote in her 9Honey column that kissing and hugging have been outlawed in favour of handshakes. She shared a photo of a Skype conference call with Neighbours staff, captioning it 'Apocalyptic production meetings'.
The temporary shutdown coincided with the soap's 35-year anniversary. Prime Minister Scott Morrison's ban on indoor gatherings of more than 100 people has also affected filming, with scenes requiring extras now limited to three background actors. As of Friday, Australia had 756 confirmed COVID-19 cases and seven deaths.
