Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson’s positive coronavirus diagnosis has forced Australian TV and radio networks into crisis mode.
The Hollywood couple tested positive on March 12 after meeting several celebrities on the east coast, and the virus has since spread across the media industry.
As a result, the country’s major broadcasters taking drastic steps to protect staff.
Spreading fast: This chilling graphic shows the spread of coronavirus through the Australian entertainment industry starting with Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, who tested positive last week
WARNER BROS. MOVIE SET SHUT DOWN
The Gold Coast movie set for Tom’s upcoming Elvis Presley biopic was shut down last week following his positive diagnosis.
The cast and crew of the Warner Bros. production, including director Baz Luhrmann, are self-isolating for 14 days.
Baz tweeted on Saturday: ‘Really must send a big thank you to the doctors and medical experts from Queensland Health.’
SHUT DOWN: The Gold Coast movie set for Tom’s upcoming Elvis Presley biopic with Warner Bros was shut down last week following his diagnosis. Pictured: Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks
FIRST CONTACT
Rita Wilson performed at the Sydney Opera House on March 7, five days before her diagnosis.
She briefly met Weekend Today host Richard Wilkinson backstage at the concert. He later shared a photo of the pair to Instagram.
Richard tested positive for COVID-19 on March 15, despite having no symptoms.
FIRST CONTACTED: On March 7, Rita (left) met Richard Wilkins (right) backstage at the Sydney Opera House. Richard then tested positive for COVID-19 on March 15
CHANNEL NINE
Rita visited Channel Nine’s Willoughby headquarters on Monday, March 9. She was a guest on Today Extra and also performed live in the studio.
Today Extra hosts David Campbell and Belinda Russell went into self-isolation and were tested for coronavirus in the wake of Rita’s diagnosis.
Their results came back negative and they returned to work on Tuesday.
A Nine spokesperson said last week that the building was being cleaned thoroughly in all areas Rita had visited ‘as a precautionary measure’.
Tracy Grimshaw, 59, was also pulled from A Current Affair on Thursday after it was revealed Rita had used her dressing room during her visit.
Network bosses made the decision because Tracy had recently undergone surgery.
CHANNEL NINE: Today Extra’s David Campbell (left) and Belinda Russell (right) briefly went into self-isolation after meeting Rita Wilson on March 9. They have now tested negative
On Sunday, March 15, Richard Wilkins revealed he had tested positive for COVID-19 despite having no symptoms.
In the eight days since meeting Rita at the Opera House, he could have potentially exposed dozens of colleagues to the virus.
On Monday, his Weekend Today co-host Rebecca Maddern went into self-isolation and was tested for coronavirus. She is still awaiting the results.
Rebecca has been temporarily replaced as a commentator on Australian Ninja Warrior by retired AFL star Shane Crawford.
CHANNEL NINE: Rebecca Maddern (pictured) is in self-isolation and awaiting test results after her Weekend Today co-host Richard Wilkins discovered his diagnosis
CHANNEL 10
Richard Wilkins fears he may have passed coronavirus on to his son Christian.
Christian is competing on Dancing with the Stars with professional dancer Lily Cornish. The pair are now in self-isolation awaiting their COVID-19 test results.
If Christian and Lily test positive, DWTS will likely be taken off the air this Sunday as a health and safety precaution.
CHANNEL 10: Richard may have passed COVID-19 onto son Christian Wilkins (right) and his Dancing With The Stars partner Lily Cornish (left) who are in self-isolation awaiting results
Richard Wilkins also met with Studio 10 panellist Angela Bishop during a visit to Nova FM’s Sydney studios on March 12.
Angela is now in self-isolation awaiting her test results. If she does test positive, she may have already passed on the virus on to her colleagues.
Staff at Channel 10’s Pyrmont headquarters are believed to be working from home.
CHANNEL 10: Studio 10’s Angela Bishop is in self-isolation awaiting her own test results after coming into contact with Richard last week. Pictured: Richard with Angela and Fitzy and Wippa
SEVEN NETWORK
Lily Cornish’s mother is Jo Palmer, the former host of Tasmania’s Nightly News on Channel Seven.
Although she recently stepped down after 18 years, she may still be in contact with the news team in Launceston.
It’s also unclear if she has been in contact with Lily lately, as DWTS is filmed in Melbourne.
THE HIT NETWORK
The Hit Network’s Hughesy & Ed is broadcasting from home this week.
Their decision was based on the fact Ed Kavalee had shared a dressing room with Christian Wilkins on Dancing with the Stars over the weekend.
Ed could have passed the virus on to co-host Dave Hughes.
HIT NETWORK: The Hit Network’s Hughesy & Ed is broadcasting from home this week after Ed Kavalee shared a dressing room with Christian Wilkins on DWTS. Pictured Dave Hughes and Ed
NOVA FM
Richard Wilkins is feared to have spread coronavirus around Nova’s Sydney studios.
He appeared on a podcast with Ryan ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald and Michael ‘Wippa’ Wipfli on March 12, with the duo pulled from the airwaves on Monday to get tested.
Fitzy and Wippa are now in self-isolation awaiting their test results.
AUSTRALIAN RADIO NETWORK (ARN)
Kylie Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson are now broadcasting from home.
The pair came into contact with Christian Wilkins last week, and are now in self-isolation while waiting to find out if the DWTS contestant has the virus.
Jackie joked during Monday’s show that she believes she may have COVID-19.
Similarly, Amanda Keller, who hosts DWTS and has a show on WSFM, is self-isolating at home and awaiting Christian’s results after coming into contact with him.
KIIS FM: Kylie Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson are self-isolating and awaiting Christian Wilkins’ test results, after interviewing him last week. Pictured: Christian and Jackie O
