As Sydney responds to a COVID-19 outbreak in the Northern Beaches, residents in the area are being urged to stay home.
The news is undoubtedly confronting, but important to take seriously as authorities work to contain the virusโ spread, which originated in Avalon and Palm Beach.
And while itโs certainly not the most important thing to be thinking about right now, fans of hit Aussie soap Home And Away may be wondering whatโs going to happen to the showโs filming schedule.
Filmed on Sydneyโs Palm Beach, one of the northern-most points of the COVID hotspot, the cast and crew were known to be filming there right up until this week โ though itโs likely theyโll be breaking for Christmas within the next few days.
That said, it is also very likely that filming will be suspended as of today as the area responds to the outbreak.
Channel Seven has been approached for comment on the matter.
Home and Away may have been forced to suspend filming amidst a new COVID outbreak in the Northern Beaches.
(Instagram)This week, the cast and crew were busy filming episodes set to air next year.
Long-time show stalwart Ada Nicodemou shared several behind-the-scenes snaps, including one sweet shot with herself and fellow actors Georgie Parker, Emily Symons and Lukas Radovich.
โHappy birthday @georgieparker have a fun location day today with 100% humidity,โ Ada lightly quipped.
Ada Nicodemou shared a sweet snap with her co-stars earlier this week.
(Instagram)Shortly after, she shared a sweet snap with another cast mate, Patrick OโConnor, writing: โEven though we work on the same show, we donโt do a lot of scenes together.โ
Meanwhile Georgie Parker revealed sheโd rung in her 50th birthday on the set of the iconic show.
โEven though I worked all day on location ๐ณโ๏ธI had a great birthday, thanks to my beautiful workmates. The cast and incredible crew helped me feel the love at Palmy today. Thanks for the messages and kindnesses as well. I feel ๐๐ป๐๐ผ ๐๐ผโ๐ผโค๏ธโค๏ธ๐๐ท,โ the actress, who plays Roo Stewart, penned.
Back in March, the show suspended filming as New South Wales responded to the virus and enacted a lockdown.
As restrictions began to ease in May, the cast returned to set, with a Seven spokeswoman telling the Daily Telegraph, โA range of measures will be in place to minimise risk for cast and crew, to be overseen by dedicated safety officers.โ
The show undertook a number of health and safety measures upon its return to filming back in May.
(Instagram)Measures included temperature checks, increased hygiene practices and rigorous cleaning schedules.
Itโs likely these measures have continued throughout the most part of the year, however as this unprecedented cluster grows, it seems appropriate for filming to be temporarily suspended โ at least until more information and containment of the virus is rectified in the area and surrounding suburbs.