‘It was important to get them home’: The Block’s Shelley Craft confirms Nine dismissed 2020 cast after the renovation show was halted amid a coronavirus ‘lockdown’
The Block’s Shelley Craft has confirmed the building site of the upcoming Nine series has been ‘locked down’ amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Appearing on Sunday’s edition of Weekend Today, the 43-year-old said the entire 2020 cast had been sent home as the global health crisis worsens.
‘The contestants all headed home to be with their families,’ she told the morning show program.
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‘It was important to get them home’: The Block’s Shelley Craft, 43, (pictured) confirmed production had halted for Nine’s popular renovation program on Sunday’s Weekend Today, and said Nine had sent home the 2020 cast to their families amid growing coronavirus concerns
Shelley said the production team were forced to get the teams home on Wednesday, amid increased state border closures across Australia.
‘[It was important to get them home] before those border patrols came in,’ she added.
Shelley did, however, say a number of builders remained on the Melbourne site trying to get the buildings ‘watertight’ before filming resumes.
Work continues without the stars: Shelley did, however, say a number of builders remained on the Melbourne site trying to get the buildings ‘watertight’ before filming resumes
Daily Mail Australia reported earlier this week that production on the show had halted, with eerie images of the empty building site surfacing.
A spokesperson went on to confirm the closure, offering a statement to explain the state of production.
‘The current production of The Block brought five teams from across Australia to Melbourne to compete in its 16th season.’
Suspension: ‘Due to increasing travel bans, border shutdowns and additional measures, The Block has made the decision to suspend filming,’ a spokesperson said
‘Due to increasing travel bans, border shutdowns and additional measures, The Block has made the decision to suspend filming and send contestants home, while it is still possible to do so.’
The spokesperson added that professional tradespeople were still working at the site in Brighton, Melbourne.
On Thursday, all production crew and participants were nowhere to be seen as a small amount of construction workers went about their business.
Tools down! On Thursday, all production crew and participants were nowhere to be seen as a small amount of construction workers went about their business. Pictured: Host Scott Cam
What was apparent, was the amount of signs around the site urging employees to practice good hygiene.
One poster even urged crew and construction workers to use the provided hand sanitiser at every entrance point to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Channel Nine isn’t the only network forced to shut productions on TV shows, with Ten forced to stop filming one of its biggest shows, The Bachelor.
Halted: Channel Nine isn’t the only network forced to shut productions on TV shows, with Ten forced to stop filming one of its biggest shows, The Bachelor. Here: Locklan Gilbert
Production on long-running soapie Neighbours was also halted.
As of Sunday, March 29, there were 3,929 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Australia. The virus has resulted in 16 deaths nationally.
The Block is scheduled to air on Channel Nine later this year.
Toll: As of Sunday, there were 3,929 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Australia. The virus has resulted in 16 deaths nationally