Production for season 16 of ABC's "The Bachelorette" has been paused due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Warner Bros., the distributor of "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette," released a statement on Friday announcing their decision.
"With the rapidly changing events related to COVID-19, and out of an abundance of caution, Warner Bros. Television Group is halting production on some of our 70+ series and pilots currently filming or about to begin. There have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 on any of our productions, but the health and safety of our employees, casts and crews remains our top priority. During this time, we will continue to follow the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control as well as local officials and public health professionals in each city where our productions are based," the statement said.
The statement did not address if other "Bachelor" nation shows like "Bachelor in Paradise" would be affected.
Clare Crawley, the "Bachelorette" in the upcoming season of the popular reality show, was scheduled to begin filming on Friday, according to Entertainment Weekly. The season was set to air on May 18, and the 32 contestants were revealed earlier this week. Warner Bros. didn't offer an alternative timeline for filming.
The pause in filming is the latest in an increasing list of cancellations in the entertainment industry.
The 38-year-old was on "The Bachelor," "Bachelor in Paradise," and "Bachelor Winter Games" before starring on season 16 of the reality show.
When "Bachelor" nation learned that Crawley's season was delayed, many took to Twitter to express their disappointment.
—Lizzy Schofield (@LizzySchofield) March 13, 2020
—daniela (@DanielaKloes) March 13, 2020
—KevinJPettit (@KevinJPettit3) March 13, 2020
—olie (@OKBERGIE) March 13, 2020
—alice yufa (@ayuf11) March 13, 2020
