Staff have been told to stay at home if they are a close contact, which will likely lead to production issues
As COVID-19 cases soar in New South Wales, a worker at Channel 10’s Pyrmont office has tested positive to the virus.
A note sent out by the National Health and Wellbeing Manager advises anyone considered a close contact to stay at home immediately.
The employee who has tested positive works at the in-house cafe – Saunders Street Cafe. The Studio 4 cafe next door closed down some months ago and 10 set this internal cafe up as a replacement.
Of concern is the number of workers who use the cafe.
According to the e-mail sent to all Sydney staff:
Any staff member who visited the Café at any time onThursday 9th September or Friday 10th September is considered a close contact and must:
- advise their manager/supervisor immediately.
- self isolate and have a COVID-19 test (testing locations can be found at: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/health-and-wellbeing/clinics).
- remain off station (regardless of a negative COVID-19 test result) until we are able to provide additional advice.
The Pyrmont office produces the live morning program Studio 10 and 10 News First evening bulletins for the Sydney, Queensland and Perth markets. If too many workers are considered close contacts it will have a big impact on 10’s ability to continue producing these programs, but 10 says production of these shows will continue.
A deep clean of the Saunder Street office took place last night.
A spokesperson from 10 tells TV Blackbox:
“Network 10 can confirm that a staff member has tested positive to COVID-19.
“The health, safety and welfare of all staff and the community is our number one priority.
“All close contacts of the staff member have been identified. They have been advised to get tested and isolate for 14 days regardless of the result.
“Network 10 continues to work to the NSW Health guidelines and strict protocols remain in place. The studio and office have been deep cleaned. Network 10 is providing all staff with all the support and assistance possible.”
TV Blackbox understands Narelda Jacobs and Angela Bishop will be hosting Studio 10 this morning, but we do not know if that is related to Sarah Harris and Tristan McManus being close contacts and having to stay home.
10 has advised they will provide more information during the program this morning.
