Newswatch taken off air immediately to make the studio coronavirus-safe
Newswatch has been taken off air immediately while the BBC works to make the studio coronavirus-safe.
The BBC News programme, which takes an in depth look into public opinion of current events, will not air for the next two weeks.
Samira Ahmed, Newswatch’s host, confirmed the news on her Twitter account on Friday afternoon, saying she hopes to return to the show “as soon as possible”.
She tweeted: “I am very sorry to report that @newswatchbbc has been taken off air this wk & next while BBC News management review the Covid 19 safe working situation in New Broadcasting House.
(Image: BBC)
(Image: @SamiraAhmedUK/Twitter)
“Editor John Neal and I very much pressing to return as soon as possible.”
The news baffled her followers.
One tweeted: “Whatever have the management been doing for the last six months?
(Image: BBC)
“First question for next programme?”
The coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc on television and the entertainment industry.
Soaps like EastEnders and Coronation Street significantly reduced their weekly episodes in a bid to ration them when filming was halted.
(Image: BBC)
But all the soaps are allowed to continue filming during lockdown,
Oliver Dowden, the Secretary of State for digital, culture, media and sport, confirmed that all TV shows can continue in a tweet.
He wrote: “For the arts/creative sectors, this means you should work from home unless you can’t – exemptions include for training and rehearsal of performances, recording studios and film & TV production.”
