Coronavirus referenced in Coronation Street for the first time
Filming of the soap was initially halted because of the pandemic.
Coronavirus has been introduced to the plot of Coronation Street for the first time.
Friday’s episode saw the pandemic referenced in passing on a number of occasions.
It was also the first time that an episode filmed entirely with social distancing measures in place had aired since production of the soap resumed.
At the beginning of the programme Gary Windass, who is played by Mikey North, said that the “whole world’s changed”, adding that we all have the chance “to do better” in an apparent reference to coronavirus.
During the episode Yasmeen Nazir, played by Shelley King, also collapsed on the first day of her trial.
This leads Tim Metcalfe (Joe Duttine) to speculate that she may have contracted coronavirus, however this did not appear to be the case.
There were also multiple references to there being more wildlife around Weatherfield.
While scenes that were filmed under new guidelines have aired in previous episodes, this is the first time that an entire episode was composed of material that was made since restrictions were eased.
The soap resumed filming last month after initially being halted in March.
New measures have been introduced on set such as not allowing older cast members to return, while kissing scenes have also been banned.
Cast and crew are also having their temperatures checked on a daily basis.
The number of episodes to air each week is also fewer than before the pandemic, at three a week initially.
The soap’s shielding stars will feature in the programme via video calls, series producer Iain MacLeod has previously said.
