World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has suspended production in Orlando, Fla., after an unnamed developmental talent at the training centre tested positive for the coronavirus.
“A developmental talent, who was last onsite at WWE’s training facility on Tuesday, June 9, has tested positive for COVID-19. Since that time, no other individuals that attended the facility have reported symptoms,” WWE’s associate medical director, Dr. Jeffrey Dugas, said in a statement to People.
“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.”
He said that after it receives the test results, “WWE plans to proceed with its normal television production schedule.”
Before the unnamed wrestler tested positive for COVID-19, WWE had only been conducting temperature checks with their talent and employees before they entered the Performance Center for television and pay-per-view tapings.
The WWE originally cancelled all touring in March but was able to tape shows from its training centre in Florida after the state’s governor deemed it an essential business in April.
During a press conference at the time, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings was asked about the WWE being allowed to continue operations, including resuming live television shows.
He revealed that the WWE was originally deemed non-essential but that that decision changed after a discussion with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
“I think, initially, there was a review that was done, and they were not initially deemed an essential business,” Demings said. “With some conversation with the governor’s office regarding the governor’s order, they were deemed an essential business. And so, therefore, they were allowed to remain open.”
According to an April 9 memo, the Florida governor’s office deemed WWE employees and media partners “essential” while the rest of the state was under a “Safer at Home” order through the end of April.
“Employees at a professional sports and media production with a national audience — including athletes, entertainers, production team, executive team, media team and any others necessary to facilitate including services supporting such production — only if the location is closed to the general public” were permitted to continue operations, according to the memo.
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