Coronation Street has finally mentioned coronavirus.
For months the pandemic hasn’t been referenced on the soap – but overnight, things changed.
First coronavirus episode of Coronation Street
While on Wednesday some scenes featured social distancing, it wasn’t mentioned and in Friday night’s episode, the virus entered Weatherfield.
Social distancing is now standard in the soap and has been seen on screen for the first time.
At the beginning of the episode, Gary Windass said the “whole world’s changed” in an apparent reference to coronavirus.
Read more: Coronation Street: Laura Neelan to cause trouble for Carla and Peter?
But it wasn’t until Yasmeen Nazir collapsed in prison that the dreaded word was mentioned on the cobbles.
It was the first day of her trial and because of her collapse, it was pushed back while she was treated in hospital.
However her son-in-law Tim Metcalfe insisted that her suspected heart attack was “probably that coronavirus”.
There were also multiple references to more wildlife being around the cobbles and Weatherfield in general.
What did viewers say?
However for viewers, the direct and indirect mentions of the virus were too much.
One said: “Also how many times did #corrie mention Coronavirus last night??? STOP THAT.”
Another wrote: “Coronavirus Street.”
A third tweeted: “Ok we get it, coronavirus reached Coronation Street #corrie.”
Someone else said: “I notice it’s suddenly become Coronavirus Street overnight. Everyone is suddenly talking about it, yet no one has a mask.”
Coronavirus Street
— Mister Vivian (@MisterVivian) July 25, 2020
https://twitter.com/lightupvm/status/1286743237072494595
Not quite as good as Bouncer’s Dream. And I notice it’s suddenly become Coronavirus Street overnight. Everyone is suddenly talking about it, yet no one has a mask #corrie
— Lee Graham (@leepg) July 24, 2020
The edition marked the first time a full episode of the soap was produced under the new guidelines.
The soap resumed filming last month after pausing production.
Soap bosses brought in new filming guidelines and rules to protect cast and crew. Writers have temporarily written out older cast members.
They have also banned kissing. And the soap’s first socially distanced stunt will air next week.
Socially distanced stunt
In upcoming scenes Sarah will discover that Gary murdered Rick and rushes to tell the police before he can stop her.
But as she races off with Gary chasing her, she ends up in the path of a car and looks set to die before she can tell anyone what she knows.
Read more: Coronation Street’s Bernie has proof Gary killed Rick – but doesn’t know it
However in a shock twist Gary will dive in and push Sarah out of the way.
Due to filming restrictions banning cast contact, the soap had to replace actress Tina O’Brien with a dummy.
The stunt was originally due to film on location. However bosses changed it in the interest of safety for the cast and crew.
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