American actor Tom Hanks has cut a path in Australia with the coronavirus, including the Sydney headquarters of Nine Entertainment.
Hanks is in Australia working on a biopic on the life of Elvis Presley, directed by Australian Baz Luhrmann.
He and his wife, Rita Wilson, have tested positive to the coronavirus. They are now in the Gold Coast University Hospital as authorities trace their movements and try to find all those they came in contact with.
He posted on Instagram: "We were tested for the Coronavirus, and were found to be positive."
Warner Brothers: “We have been made aware that a company member from our Elvis feature film, which is currently in pre-production in The Gold Coast, Australia, has tested positive for COVID-19."
The producers are working closely with Australian health authorities to identify anyone who may have come in direct contact.
One immediate impact is that Nine has sent stars and production staff, who came into contact with Rita Wilson when she was interviewed by David Campbell and Belinda Russell on the Today Extra program, home as a precaution.
Wilson used Tracy Grimshaw's dressing room. Karl Stefanovic hosted ACA as a precautionary measure because Grimshaw had minor surgery last week.
"We have also closed off the affected areas at Nine Willoughby and are in the process of disinfecting," Nine says.
Nine told employees: "As this is a fast-moving situation, we will update all employees as more information comes to hand. In the meantime, we strongly encourage all employees to continue following the Australian Government and health authority guidelines to avoid contracting or spreading the virus. This information can be found in the COVID-19 FAQs on the intranet and in the attached document."
Hanks later went to Instagram to thank well wishers and "everyone here Down Under who are taking such good care of us".
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