Filming at WWE training facility in Orlando is halted after a wrestler is infected with coronavirus and all employees are ordered to be tested
- WWE filming in Orlando is on hold after wrestler tested positive for coronavirus
- WWE Associate Medical Director Dr Jeffrey Dugas confirmed the positive test of the wrestler who was last at the training facility on June 9 in a statement
- Dugas said all of the company’s performers and staff, all talent, production crew and employees who were on site at the time will be tested immediately
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
The WWE training facility in Orlando, Florida, has canceled its TV tapings after a wrestler tested positive for coronavirus, and employees are ordered to be tested.
WWE Associate Medical Director, Dr Jeffrey Dugas, confirmed the positive test results in a statement Monday night.
According to Dugas, the developmental wrestler was last at the facility on June 9.
‘Since that time, no other individuals that attended the facility have reported symptoms,’ Dugas said.
The WWE training facility in Orlando, Florida, has canceled its TV tapings after a wrestler tested positive for coronavirus, and employees are ordered to be tested. Wrestlers are pictured during SmackDown in 2008
‘However, out of an abundance of caution and to ensure the health and safety of the company’s performers and staff, all talent, production crew and employees on site at the training and production facilities will be tested for COVID-19 immediately.’
‘Following the test results, WWE plans to proceed with its normal television production schedule,’ Dugas added.
WWE’s pay-per-view shows, including RAW, SmackDown and NXT, have been held at the facility since mid-March.
According to officials, the company operated without a crowd between March 13 until May 25 when it used trainees and NXT personnel as an audience.
Barriers separated wrestlers and the audience, but there were times when the groups co-mingled, according to ABC News.
In a statement, WWE said that there were ‘a select number of friends and family were permitted to attend WWE’s TV production’.
WWE Associate Medical Director, Dr Jeffrey Dugas, confirmed the positive test results in a statement. According to Dugas, the developmental wrestler was last at the facility on June 9. All employees have been ordered to get tested for the virus. Randy Orton is pictured in 2018
‘These individuals were required to participate in medical screenings prior to entering the closed set at our training facility, and were kept apart from in-ring performers and production personnel.
‘Attendance was below 20% capacity and social distancing guidelines were adhered to with at least six feet between parties, thus face masks were not required.’
Monday’s revelation is the WWE’s second known case of coronavirus.
In April, an on-screen talent, who is not a wrestler, tested positive for the virus. The individual has since recovered.
At the time, officials from WWE said the employee fell ill after being exposed to two health care professionals and had no contact with anyone within the company.
During the pandemic under Gov Ron DeSantis’ The state of Florida considers WWE an essential business, which has allowed it to operate throughout the coronavirus pandemic. The UFC has also recently held events in the state.