Millionaire Hotseat forced to shut down after links to positive coronavirus cases - 9News

Channel 9 quiz show Millionaire Hot Seat was due to begin filming new episodes from today, but production has now been suspended.

It comes just a day after Channel Ten reality television show The Masked Singer was closed down, sending hundreds of staff into self-isolation.

Nine's Millionaire Hot Seat has been forced to shut down after being linked to positive coronavirus cases. (Nine News)

Those staff members are now awaiting their test results, which are likely to be made available today.

Both shows are produced at Melbourne's Docklands and share facilities but are filmed in separate studios.

All studios there are now undergoing a deep clean.

The Docklands studios, where Millionaire Hot Seat and The Masked Singer are filmed. (Nine News)

Seven new COVID-19 cases, believed to be dancers, have now been linked to the cluster, with more than 200 people connected to the Melbourne's set sent into isolation.

This includes the entire production team, including host Osher Gunsberg, judges Jackie O, Dave Hughes, Urzila Carlson, Danii Minogue and the celebrity masked singers.

The host of the Channel Ten reality TV Show, Osher Günsberg, and the celebrity judges are among more than 200 people who have been directed to isolate amid a growing COVID-19 cluster linked to the Docklands set. (The Masked Singer)

Gunsberg is also the host of Ten's reality TV Show The Bachelor, putting any remaining filming of the show in jeopardy.

Production of the dating show was previously suspended in March due to COVID-19 fears.

The Masked Singer was one of the few major TV programs to continue filming during Melbourne's stage four lockdown.

Cast and crew of Nine's Millionaire Hot Seat are now at the centre of a fresh coroanvirus outbreak after being linked to The Masked Singer. (Nine News)

Under Victoria's current restrictions, most news and media outlets are deemed essential services, allowing production to continue if COVID-19 measures are in place.

Victoria's Premier Daniel Andrews has defended the rules, saying exemptions are granted on a case-by-case basis and those businesses deemed essential are always accompanied by a COVID-safe plan.

"This is a wildly infection infectious virus," Mr Andrews said.

"Even if you've got the very best protocols in place, you will see positive cases."

Yesterday, Victoria recorded 208 new COVID-19 cases and 17 deaths.

The figures — whilst a slight uptick from Saturday's 182 cases — are a promising sign that the state is past its peak of new infections, which peaked on August 4 with 725 cases.

Beyond Blue's Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service is a 24/7 service free of charge to all Australians. Visit the site here or call 1800512348

For coronavirus breaking news alerts and livestreams straight to your smartphone sign up to the 9News app and set notifications to on at the App Store or Google Play.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMioAFodHRwczovL3d3dy45bmV3cy5jb20uYXUvbmF0aW9uYWwvY29yb25hdmlydXMtbWlsbGlvbmFpcmUtaG90c2VhdC1zaHV0LWRvd24tYWZ0ZXItbWFza2VkLXNpbmdlci1saW5rLXBvc2l0aXZlLWNvdmlkMTktY2FzZXMvM2NkNWQ2YjItMjZmYi00MmJmLThhZDgtMTNhZjUwMWQwZWQy0gFFaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXAuOW5ld3MuY29tLmF1L2FydGljbGUvM2NkNWQ2YjItMjZmYi00MmJmLThhZDgtMTNhZjUwMWQwZWQy?oc=5

2020-08-23 21:04:00Z
52781014055924