EXCLUSIVE: Married At First Sight 2021 stars are rocked by a COVID-19 scare and sent into a 24 hour lockdown after filming reunion special in Sydney
The cast of the upcoming season of Married At First Sight have been sent into lockdown just hours after filming the reunion special in Sydney.
Daily Mail Australia can reveal that the show’s cast and crew were told to self-isolate as a precaution on Friday morning, after a crew member woke up ‘feeling unwell’.
A spokesman has confirmed the incident and told Daily Mail Australia: ‘Endemol Shine Australia takes the health and safety of our cast, crew and the community extremely seriously.’
EXCLUSIVE: Married At First Sight 2021 stars are rocked by a COVID-19 scare and sent into a 24 hour lockdown on Friday morning hours after wrapping production on the reunion
‘We will work in line with current government guidelines to ensure their safety and wellbeing.’
The cast are now required to self-isolate in their hotel rooms for at least 24 hours as a safety measure, and were forced to postpone all media commitments.
The reunion was filmed over two days at Sydney’s Ground of Alexandria this week after the usual Lilyfield warehouse location was booked out.
Safety first! Daily Mail Australia can reveal the show’s cast and crew were told to self-isolate as a precaution on Friday morning, after a crew member woke up ‘feeling unwell’
A spokesman has confirmed the incident and told Daily Mail Australia: ‘Endemol Shine Australia takes the health and safety of our cast, crew and the community extremely seriously’
Originally scheduled for mid-January, the season eight reunion dinner party was postponed due to border closures and only took place this week.
It’s not the first time the show has faced delays due to the pandemic.
In March last year, it was reported the new season had been postponed in the wake of the first Covid-19 outbreak in Australia.
Originally scheduled for mid-January, the season eight reunion dinner party was postponed due to border closures and only took place this week. Pictured brides: Joanne Todd (left) and Booka Nile (right)
Throughout production, the cast and crew were all required to undergo mandatory testing for coronavirus.
Perth brides Booka Nile, Beth Moore and Rebecca Zemek, and Melbourne-based Jake Edwards, were all tested for Covid-19 ahead of the show’s reunion this week.
Couples from Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Queensland were all required to self-isolate for 14 days upon their arrival in New South Wales.
Action! The reunion was filmed over two days at Sydney’s Ground of Alexandria on this week after the usual Lilyfield warehouse location was booked out. Pictured: Cameron Dunne (left) and Jake Edwards (right)
Initially, Victorians were excluded from the casting process due to concerns over the spread of coronavirus in the state.
However, producers backpedalled on this decision after receiving applications from several Melburnians who ‘appeared to be there for the right reasons’.
Despite the delay, Married At First Sight is only premiering a few weeks later than usual – on February 22 at 7.30pm on Nine and 9Now.
Despite the delay, Married At First Sight is only premiering a few weeks later than usual – on February 22 at 7.30pm on Nine and 9Now. Pictured: Beck Zemek and Beth Moore