Back To The Rafters halts production amid coronavirus fears – as Rebecca Gibney flies back to New Zealand for self-isolation
The Packed to the Rafters reboot has already faced obstacles, with key cast member Jessica Marais leaving the show.
And on Sunday, production on Back to the Rafters was finally halted due to the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the globe, according to TV Tonight.
The news was indirectly confirmed by Rebecca Gibney, 55, on Saturday, who flew back to her home country New Zealand to join her husband and son in self-isolation.
‘God bless you’: Back To The Rafters has halted production amid coronavirus fears – as Rebecca Gibney (left) flies back to New Zealand for self-isolation
Rebecca, who plays Julie Rafter on the show, shared a picture of herself on an almost-empty aircraft bound for NZ.
‘Three passengers and eight crew but God bless you for getting us home to loved ones and for bringing back those Aussies stranded in NZ,’ she captioned the post.
‘Oh and just a side note we were all up the front of the plane and the crew treated us like royalty. The pilots even came and chatted to us. You guys really are the Spirit of Australia.’
Home sweet home! Rebecca arrived in her home country on Saturday, sharing pictures and videos from her cosy coastal home (left) – including her two dogs (right) who were excited to see her
She arrived in her home country on Saturday, sharing pictures and videos from her cosy coastal home – including her two dogs who were excited to see her.
‘Three hour flight, four hour drive and I’m finally home – self-isolation never felt so good,’ she captioned a video of the beach outside her house.
‘My happy place for the next 14 days… see you on the other side!’ she captioned another post of her living room.
National treasure! Before leaving Australia, Rebecca shared an appreciation post about her cast-mate Michael Caton (left), who plays grandfather Ted Taylor on the show
Before leaving Australia, Rebecca shared an appreciation post about her cast mate Michael Caton, who plays grandfather Ted Taylor on the show.
‘Michael Caton. #nationaltreasure. Look after all the national treasures please. Be kind. Be considerate. Love thy neighbour. Love thy Michael Caton,’ she wrote.
Last weekend, Rebecca and her husband Richard Bell celebrated their son Zachary’s 16th birthday in Sydney.
Following her family: Last weekend, Rebecca and her husband Richard Bell (right) celebrated their son Zachary’s (centre) 16th birthday in Sydney – but they left Rebecca in Sydney to head back to NZ due to coronavirus travel restrictions
But Richard and Zachary cut their trip short and flew back to New Zealand as PM Ardern announced strict quarantine restrictions on arrivals, while Rebecca stayed in Sydney to continue filming Back to the Rafters before it was halted today.
Back to the Rafters is being produced by Channel 7 for streaming service Amazon Prime with Erik Thomson, Hugh Sheridan and Angus McLaren also returning.
In Australia, there have been 1,316 cases and seven deaths from coronavirus
The current situation: In Australia, there have been 1,316 cases and seven deaths from coronavirus