Mzansi Magic’s popular production Homeground has shut down production due to the Coronavirus outbreak.
The sports variety show has halted filming new episodes until further notice.
It is the first local show to take the step to protect crew and cast from contracting the deadly virus.
Joe Heshu, MultiChoice Group Executive for Corporate Affairs confirmed the production halt and added that all other production houses were consulted.
“We are in touch with all our production houses and consult with them on their assessment of individual productions. We encourage all production companies to take every precaution to protect both cast and crew, as we all grapple with the pandemic. We have noted how production has been impacted in other markets and are assessing the impact in ours,” said Heshu.
Minnie Dlamini-Jones said on on the show: “We will be back. Make sure that you self-quarantine and look after yourselves, and let’s see if we can get that [Covid-19 infection rate] number down to zero so things can go back to normal as soon as possible because we can’t wait to be back on your screen.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday announced a state of disaster in a bid to contain the spread of the virus. The state of disaster forbids the gathering of more than 100 people – a move that has put the entertainment and arts industry under pressure to suspend some activities as continuing with them would be in contradiction to the law.
