Crew working on the new series of I’m A Celebrity will have to wear proximity buzzers as part of a string of coronavirus measures to keep the show on air amid the pandemic.
The ITV reality show has already relocated from the Australian jungle to Gwrych Castle in Conwy due to international travel restrictions, and now ITV bosses have outlined how they will be keeping the new location Covid-secure.
The broadcaster’s “Covid management plan” reveals the use of wearable buzzers, which will go off when crew members come too close to one another.
There will also be half the usual number of people on site, with many of the production team working remotely from London.
There will also be “extremely limited” production access to both the celebrity contestants and hosts Ant and Dec.
The Geordie duo have formed a close contact cohort – as they did to host the recent Britain’s Got Talent live shows – which means they do not have to socially distance on screen, so long as they are tested for Covid-19 every three days.
The celebrities, who have been isolating for the past two weeks, have also formed a bubble and will be tested every three days.
Other measures include visitors being banned from the site, temperature checks on arrival, handwashing and special training for crew.
Crew members must wear masks when not at their desks, which will all face away from each other, with all work spaces built two metres apart to ensure social distancing.
They will also have to take a rapid coronavirus test twice a week and self-isolate if it returns a positive result.
Speaking about the measures, Richard Cowles, director of entertainment at ITV Studios, said: “Everyone on the production team has worked incredibly hard to bring I’m A Celebrity to Wales and a massive part of making that possible has been developing our protocols around Covid.
“We have worked with ITV’s independent chief medical officer Dr Paul Litchfield, ITV’s health and safety department, and our own health and safety and medical teams to keep everyone connected with the production – both in front of and behind the camera – as safe as possible.”
During the isolation period, contestant AJ Pritchard tested positive for Covid-19.
However, he has since confirmed he will still be taking part in the show after subsequently returning two negative test results.
Among those who will be joining AJ in this year’s I’m A Celebrity include TV presenter Vernon Kay, soap legend Beverley Callard and Olympic runner Sir Mo Farrah.
I’m A Celebrity launches on Sunday 15 November at 9pm on ITV.