Emmerdale and Coronation Street reduce number of episodes a week but vow to keep filming amid coronavirus pandemic
CORONATION Street and Emmerdale will be reducing the number of episodes they air per week amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The two soaps have vowed to keep filming though despite Government advice instructed people to remain at home and social distance.
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Coronation Street will be dropping three episodes per week - all of its 8.30pm episodes have been axed - while Emmerdale will be losing one.
Emmerdale will now air weeknights at 7pm while Corrie will follow at 7.30pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings.
The change will allow the soaps to stay on air until July - even if production has to be shut down.
A statement released today read: "The continued transmission of both soaps is a priority to all of us at ITV and to our audiences who enjoy the shows. Whilst carefully adhering to the latest health advice from the Government and Public Health England, our production teams are continuing to film episodes in Manchester and Leeds.
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EastEnders, Holby City, Casualty and Doctors have all stopped filming with immediate effect.
Scottish drama River City has also been pulled from production as has Welsh soap Pobol y Cwm.
An EastEnders spokeswoman told The Sun Online: ";In light of the spread of Covid-19, after much consideration, it has been decided that filming on EastEnders will be postponed until further notice.
"The decision was made after the latest government update. We will continue to follow the latest news and advice from the World Health Organisation and Public Health England.
"We have also taken the decision to reduce the amount of episodes we broadcast each week to two, so that we can ensure the audience can continue to enjoy EastEnders in their homes for as long as possible."
In the UK, coronavirus has killed 71 people while a total of 1,950 have been struck down with the illness.
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