Coronavirus: ITV halts production on 'Coronation Street' and 'Emmerdale'
ITV has revealed that production on Coronation Street and Emmerdale will be suspended until further notice amid the coronavirus outbreak.
A statement released by the broadcaster has confirmed the decision is set to come into effect from 23 March onwards
It read: “ITV has sadly taken the decision to suspend production of the soaps Coronation Street and Emmerdale with effect from Monday 23 March.
Read more: Saturday Night Takeaway smashes its ratings record
"We’ve been doing our best to carry on filming, whilst adhering to the Government’s latest health guidelines, to ensure we’ve episodes of both soaps airing on ITV until at least the early summer.
"However, the health and well-being of the production teams, actors, crew and their families is of paramount importance to us and we now feel that the time has come to stop filming.
"We’d like to thank our viewers for their support and hope they continue to enjoy both soaps in the coming months.“
Latest coronavirus news, updates and advice
Live: Follow all the latest updates from the UK and around the world
Fact-checker: The number of COVID-19 cases in your local area
Explained: Symptoms, latest advice and how it compares to the flu
It comes as EastEnders announced on Wednesday that filming on the programme would be postponed "until further notice".
The BBC soap is now airing just two episodes a week instead of four so fans "can continue to enjoy EastEnders in their homes for as long as possible".
Production has also shut down on a number of other programmes, including Line of Duty and Peaky Blinders.
Meanwhile, others have had to adapt to the changing circumstances as shows such as Question Time and Saturday Night Takeaway have removed their live studio audiences.