TV5 and its affiliate television channels will temporarily go off air after the deadly coronavirus disease (COVID-19) hit one of their employees.
The news was confirmed by the Facebook page of “Raffy Tulfo in Action,” a program aired on Kapatid Network, last night.
“Magsasagawa ng disenfection sa buong TV5 Media Center sa Reliance Street sa Mandaluyong sa mga susunod na araw. Ito ay matapos na may nag-positive na empleyado rito,” it said.
“Magsasagawa ng disenfection sa buong TV5 Media Center sa Reliance Street sa Mandaluyong sa mga susunod na araw. Ito ay matapos na may nag-positive na empleyado rito,” it added.
According to the Pep.PH report, the lockdown will last for two days, which will start today, August 26.
The operation of TV5, ONE PH, and Radyo Singko 92.3 News FM is also affected by the said lockdown.
The “Idol in Action” and “Wanted sa Radyo” programs will continue through the online “Zoom” stream as long as the network leadership does not provide the corresponding clearance.
“Ang ibang mga show ng ONE PH at TV5 at Radyo5 ay patuloy pa ring mapapanood at mapapakinggan at ito ay gagawin sa pamamagitan ng off-site live broadcast o zoom,” the post added.
Also read: Leni Robredo responds to insults by thanking PPE sponsors
TV5 under lockdown after employee acquired COVID-19
As of August 25, the Philippines has 61,730 active COVID-19 cases, 3,038 deaths, and 132, 396 recoveries.
The airing of TV5’s live shows will also be affected by the order, which is why “replay episodes” of the shows will be aired until Friday, August 28.
The said lockdown occurred after some Kapamilya stars announced their transfer to TV5 due to the non-renewal of ABS-CBN’s legislative franchise.
Veteran ABS-CBN news anchor Ted Failon is said to bring his program “Failon Ngayon,” as well as all his staff, to TV5’s Radyo Singko.
TV5 (also known as 5 and formerly known as ABC) is a Philippine free-to-air television network based in Mandaluyong. It is the flagship property of TV5 Network, Inc. with Cignal TV as its leading content provider, both owned by MediaQuest Holdings, the multimedia arm of Philippine-based telecommunications company PLDT. TV5 is also formally referred to as “The Kapatid Network,” the Tagalog term for “sibling,” which was introduced in 2010.