COVID-19 strikes some members of ‘DWTS’ crew, but show’s ‘Stars’ are safe

Selma Blair and professional dance associate Sasha Farber carry out a waltz on the Season 31 premiere of “Dancing With the Stars.”

(Eric McCandless / ABC)

Simply as Los Angeles County dropped its masks requirement on public transit and in airports, that huge bus generally known as “Dancing With the Stars” pulled into the station with a small COVID-19 outbreak after its premiere Monday.

Don’t fear: Not one of the “Stars” has fallen sick.

4 manufacturing workers out of 300 examined optimistic for the virus over the course of 5 days, a “DWTS” spokesperson mentioned Friday by way of e mail. The 4 individuals work in several departments that don’t have in-person contact with one another.

In response, the manufacturing disinfected the complete set, instituted fast contact tracing and as an additional precaution requested the vast majority of its workers to work at home.

“No shut contact of the 4 optimistic manufacturing workers has since examined optimistic,” the spokesperson mentioned.

The present’s COVID-19 compliance officer offered that info to the Division of Public Well being and was cleared to proceed manufacturing, the spokesperson mentioned.

The manufacturing additionally works with a “strict” pod system, which a consultant of the present defined to Individuals final October after contestant Cody Rigsby and professional Cheryl Burke examined optimistic. "[A]ll couples have their very own hair and make-up so the pods are not more than 4 individuals.” When couples rehearsed final season, they have been alone within the rehearsal room with solely a robotic digicam to seize their exercise for the present.

Along with a roster of professional dancers, the Season 31 “DWTS” solid contains Selma Blair of “Merciless Intentions,” Trevor Donovan from “90210,” Daniel Durant of “CODA,” Cheryl Ladd of “Charlie’s Angels,” Jason Lewis from “Intercourse and the Metropolis,” “Let’s Make a Deal” host Wayne Brady, nation singer Jessie James Decker, “Good Morning America” weatherman Sam Champion, “American Idol” winner Jordin Sparks, Gabby Windey of “The Bachelorette,” Vinny Guadagnino of “Jersey Shore,” Teresa Giudice of “The Actual Housewives of New Jersey,” Shangela from “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” bodybuilder and mannequin Joseph Baena and Charli and Heidi D’Amelio from “The D’Amelio Present.”

“Dancing With the Stars” is streaming reside and commercial-free for the primary time this season completely on subscription streaming service Disney+. Tyra Banks and Alfonso Ribiero host the present, and Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, Len Goodman and Derek Hough make up the judges panel.