Big Brother Australia: Producers extreme measures to prevent COVID-19

The Big Brother Australia housemates threw a ‘quarantine party’ on Wednesday, after being informed of the coronavirus pandemic by producers earlier in the week. 

Sounds of laughter and cheering echoed out of the filming compound at Sydney’s Manly Headland at 4pm, as bosses go to extreme measures to prevent a COVID-19 outbreak on-set, which could result in the entire production being pulled.

Their celebration comes as the rest of the country is in chaos, with coronavirus cases in Australia skyrocketing from 73 to 568 in less than two weeks, with six dead.

Daily Mail Australia can reveal that producers at Endemol Shine Australia have now reduced the amount of staff working on the show to ‘only the essential’. 

On Wednesday, all production cabins and the show’s control room were virtually empty, with just a couple of security guards roaming around the compound. 

There are signs across the site urging staff members to practice good hygiene. 

If one person on-site contracts COVID-19 or displays symptoms, it could lead to the entire production being pulled with fears it may have passed into the house.

‘If you work in the control room, office or anywhere that requires close proximity to colleagues, please wash your hands before and after entering,’ one sign reads.  

‘Avoid close contact with colleagues and maintain distance where possible.’ 

Another note reads: ‘Wash your hands often and thoroughly – soap and water is best – before and after food, toilet use, traveling from one location to another.’ 

There is a designated ‘first aid station’ set up just meters from the house.  

A huge note outside of the control room reads: ‘CONTROL ROOM CREW ONLY’. 

Speaking to News.com.au on Monday, producers at Endemol Shine confirmed the housemates have now been informed of the virus. 

‘Housemates have been brought across the current situation,’ a spokesperson said, adding they are in ‘constant contact’ with families. 

Endemol explained they are taking the health precautions of the cast ‘extremely seriously’, and are working within health guidelines. 

‘We are working in line with current guidelines and production on Big Brother is continuing.’

Big Brother Australia began filming in Manly last month and is being pre-recorded. 

The show will air on Seven ‘very soon’ with Sonia Kurger as host. 

Speaking about the show on Thursday’s Sunrise, Sonia said the housemates are being regularly updated about COVID-19 and how their family are doing.

Sonia said: ‘We advised the housemates last Friday. Our executive producer went into the house and spoke to them through the diary room – but it wasn’t filmed. 

‘She didn’t enter the house, she spoke to them through the diary room and answered all of their questions. They were shocked, as most people would be learning of this worldwide pandemic. 

‘We have a wellness manager who is in contact with their friends and family daily. [Housemates] are in a very safe place. All their needs are being taken care of.’