GMA temporarily stops admission of live studio audiences

GMA Network Center. Contributed photo

MANILA, Philippines — More shows of the GMA Network temporarily stopped admission of live studio audiences in its studios as the country intensifies measures to stop the spread of the 2019 coronavirus disease or COVID-19.

In an advisory, the TV network announced that “All-Out Sundays, Centerstage, Mars Pa More, Wowowin, Wowowin Primetime, Idol sa Kusina, The Boobay and Tekla Show, Sarap ‘Di Ba? and Tonight With Arnold Clavio” will not admit live studio audiences for the meantime.

“These measures are being undertaken to help ensure the safety and well-being of all concerned and as part of GMA’s cooperation with the government in its efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19,” read the statement.

On Monday, longest running noon-time show “Eat Bulaga!” decided to suspend admission of live studio audiences. “Eat Bulaga!” is one of the blocktimers at the Kapuso network.

GMA also opted to cancel all its external activities and events in Metro Manila, where most local cases of the coronavirus are being reported.

Earlier, DOH said 33 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the Philippines. Over a hundred more are still being monitored for possible infection.

The disease is caused by the novel coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2 believed to have originated from Wuhan City of Hubei province in China in December 2019.

The coronavirus is part of a family of viruses which surfaces have crown-like appearance.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año earlier said government will start implementing “social distancing” in Metro Manila in a bid to contain the spread of the virus, which has been declared to be highly contagious.

“Social distancing” has been described by the Associated Press as the process of limiting people to gather and spreading the virus. It is being practiced in some parts of the world with positive cases of COVID-19, such as Italy and Japan.

EDV