The Bachelor Australia WILL continue filming despite coronavirus pandemic

Production of The Bachelor Australia’s eighth season will still go ahead, despite the spread of coronavirus across the nation.

As reported by B&T on Thursday, Channel 10 has decided to continue filming the popular dating show as well as the network’s revamped Big Brother show, whereas production of Neighbours will be put on pause.

It is unknown whether specific measures will be taken by Channel 10 bosses to protect The Bachelor’s cast and crew from COVID-19.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out for comment.  

Filming for the Channel 10 series is currently underway in Oxford Falls, Sydney, with ex-Survivor contestant Locklan ‘Locky’ Gilbert as the eponymous suitor and Osher Günsberg reprising his role as host. 

However, the production could run into trouble if anyone from the cast or crew develops symptoms of COVID-19, because the cramped conditions on set mean the deadly virus could spread like wildfire.

The U.S. season of The Bachelorette starring Clare Crawley has already been postponed because of the ‘rapidly changing events’ related to COVID-19, Warner Bros. announced on Friday.

‘There have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 on any of our productions, but the health and safety of our employees, casts and crews remains our top priority,’ the spokesperson added.

Nikki Ferris, who appeared on Matt Agnew’s season of The Bachelor Australia last year, told Daily Mail there’s a possible risk when two dozen women fly in from every corner of the country and then live together in close quarters for weeks.

She claimed the female contestants have very little personal space in the mansion and the sleeping arrangements are similar to a hostel or dormitory.

‘You sleep in bunk beds and live in each other’s pockets,’ Nikki said. ‘As you can imagine, 28 women [at the start of the season] sharing four bedrooms and four bathrooms is just asking for a s**t storm.’

‘It’s like a hostel. If there was a group date, one person would be on the toilet, another in the shower and another doing makeup all in the same bathroom. We had a cleaner come just once a week,’ she added.

While the overcrowding becomes less of an issue later in the season – as many of the women are eliminated by this point – the last few weeks of filming present their own problems.

The final four will be flown around the country for hometown dates, putting them at risk of exposure. If there is an overseas finale, which has been the case for most Bachelor seasons, the risk is increased significantly.

There is an argument that the isolation of the Bachelor mansion – the women cannot leave the set without special permission – will protect the cast from COVID-19.

However, they are still in close contact with crew members who are coming and going, which means there’s a risk someone could potentially bring in coronavirus from outside.

Ultimately, the best way for Locky’s girls to protect themselves is through good hygiene – and Nikki has warned this year’s contestants to ‘wash their hands after they’ve been handed a rose’.

She added: ‘Love isn’t the only sickness that will go around this season with coronavirus about.’