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| Coronavirus: German Big Brother cast to be told about pandemic live on TV | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| It's been more than a month since the majority of Germany's Big Brother contestants entered the house. | It's been more than a month since the majority of Germany's Big Brother contestants entered the house. |
| In early February the first cases of coronavirus outside of Wuhan were just being reported. | In early February the first cases of coronavirus outside of Wuhan were just being reported. |
| Now Germany has close to 7,000 confirmed infections, with 14 deaths - but the housemates have no idea a global pandemic has been declared. | Now Germany has close to 7,000 confirmed infections, with 14 deaths - but the housemates have no idea a global pandemic has been declared. |
| They'll finally be informed on Tuesday night in a live TV special, after "consultation with relatives". | They'll finally be informed on Tuesday night in a live TV special, after "consultation with relatives". |
| It comes after criticism on social media that broadcaster SAT.1 hadn't told the 14 men and women locked inside the house in Cologne about what was going on outside. | It comes after criticism on social media that broadcaster SAT.1 hadn't told the 14 men and women locked inside the house in Cologne about what was going on outside. |
| On top of that, four new residents who joined the show on 9 March were told not to talk about coronavirus. | On top of that, four new residents who joined the show on 9 March were told not to talk about coronavirus. |
| But SAT.1 has updated its rules, which usually mean only informing housemates about the outside world if a close relative or friend dies, according to German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung. | But SAT.1 has updated its rules, which usually mean only informing housemates about the outside world if a close relative or friend dies, according to German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung. |
| On Tuesday the show's host Jochen Schropp and its resident doctor will inform housemates about the growing pandemic. | On Tuesday the show's host Jochen Schropp and its resident doctor will inform housemates about the growing pandemic. |
| It is expected they will be told about the number of cases in Germany - and that Chancellor Angela Merkel has closed clubs, bars, leisure facilities, zoos and playgrounds - as well as the situation worldwide. | It is expected they will be told about the number of cases in Germany - and that Chancellor Angela Merkel has closed clubs, bars, leisure facilities, zoos and playgrounds - as well as the situation worldwide. |
| Housemates will get a chance to ask questions and see video messages from relatives. | Housemates will get a chance to ask questions and see video messages from relatives. |
| 'Maybe it's been sound-proofed?' | 'Maybe it's been sound-proofed?' |
| The German cast aren't the only Big Brother housemates with no idea about the rate coronavirus is progressing around the world. | The German cast aren't the only Big Brother housemates with no idea about the rate coronavirus is progressing around the world. |
| On Canadian Big Brother the contestants have been wondering why they couldn't hear a live audience outside during the latest eviction - with one suggesting the house might've been sound-proofed. | On Canadian Big Brother the contestants have been wondering why they couldn't hear a live audience outside during the latest eviction - with one suggesting the house might've been sound-proofed. |
| In reality, audience members have been stopped from attending live shows since 12 March. | In reality, audience members have been stopped from attending live shows since 12 March. |
| "The health and safety of our staff, crew, houseguests, and audience members are of the utmost importance," production company Global TV said in a statement. | "The health and safety of our staff, crew, houseguests, and audience members are of the utmost importance," production company Global TV said in a statement. |
| "We will continue to produce the show and monitor the situation closely." | "We will continue to produce the show and monitor the situation closely." |
| The housemates have since been updated "on the domestic and international status of COVID-19", and been told that all their family members are doing OK. | The housemates have since been updated "on the domestic and international status of COVID-19", and been told that all their family members are doing OK. |
| The Canadian show's resident doctor has also assessed the contestants and "determined that no houseguests have exhibited any signs or symptoms related to COVID-19". | The Canadian show's resident doctor has also assessed the contestants and "determined that no houseguests have exhibited any signs or symptoms related to COVID-19". |
| Since being told, every housemate has chosen to remain on the show. | Since being told, every housemate has chosen to remain on the show. |
| Big Brother Australia's contestants have also been told about the situation in their country as well as worldwide. | Big Brother Australia's contestants have also been told about the situation in their country as well as worldwide. |
| But in Brazil the 20th season of Big Brother has been running since 21 January - and is scheduled to keep going until late April. | But in Brazil the 20th season of Big Brother has been running since 21 January - and is scheduled to keep going until late April. |
| The housemates on that iteration of the show have reportedly not been told about coronavirus - although Radio 1 Newsbeat is trying to find out whether that will change. | The housemates on that iteration of the show have reportedly not been told about coronavirus - although Radio 1 Newsbeat is trying to find out whether that will change. |
| Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has tested negative for coronavirus, but members of the president's team have tested positive. | Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has tested negative for coronavirus, but members of the president's team have tested positive. |
| Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. | Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. |
| Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here. | Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here. |