It’s been on a two-month hiatus following the COVID-19 outbreak, but now long-running soap Home And Away is set to resume filming in just two weeks.
However, the show will be taking on a new framework and story lines in order to protect the cast and crew from the virus.
“A range of measures will be in place to minimise risk for cast and crew, to be overseen by dedicated safety officers,” a Seven spokeswoman told the Daily Telegraph.
“The measures include temperature checks on arrival, increased hygiene practices and rigorous cleaning schedules.”
“Scripts will also be reworked to reduce close contact, in constant consultation with the cast and crew to ensure the health and safety of all.”
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Production of the show will resume on May 25 at Channel Seven’s Sydney-based Eveleigh studios, while location shoots at the show’s iconic Palm Beach won’t be happening for now.
They’re back! But don’t expect any close contact of cuddling on-screen.
(Image: Channel Seven)Most recently, Neighbours made history by becoming the first English-speaking show in the world to return to filming during the pandemic, rolling out strict new guidelines to help protect the cast and crew from a clustered outbreak on-set.
Instead of working the corona crisis into the plot, the show plans to isolate the cast and crew into three separate groups, there will never be more than three people in a scene and it will have a strict policy on no hand-holding or kissing scenes.
Home And Away was one of many Australian shows to halt production as a preventative measure during the start of the coronavirus outbreak in March.
The show has been on a two-month hiatus.
(Image: Channel Seven)Home And Away suspended filming at the end of March.
“Seven Studios advised today that it would halt filming of Home and Away immediately,” a spokesperson said at the time.
The spokesperson confirmed that no cast or crew had tested positive to COVID-19, however the decision was made as “logistical hurdles” increased.
Since lockdown, the cast have shared many behind-the-scenes glimpses of their video-based group rehearsals.
Other shows impacted by the pandemic include The Bachelor, The Bachelorette and Who Dares Wins.
