Elderly Emmerdale cast members are expected to stop filming the ITV soap to comply with government guidelines during the coronavirus pandemic.
Citizens over the age of 70 are classed as a group that are 'vulnerable' to the bug and at high-risk of contacting the virus.
The government has advised that people in this category, alongside pregnant women and those with health conditions, should stay at home and self-isolate for 12-weeks.
Proving they are listening to the advice, Emmerdale bosses have released a statement to Mirror Online explaining the precautions they are taking on set.
A comment read: "With regards to over 70s we are adhering to all government guidelines and following the appropriate steps."
The Yorkshire-based soap has three actors that fall into the senior age group - 71-year-old Chris Chittell, who plays Eric Pollard, 70-year-old Elizabeth Estensen, known for her part as Diane Sugden and 81-year-old Patrick Mower, who portrays Rodney Blackstock.
Steve Halliwell, 65, known for his role of Zac Dingle, is also considered high-risk as he recently underwent heart surgery.
Earlier this week, Coronation Street confirmed that five of their elderly cast members were being written out of the much-loved soap.
This means William Roache (Ken Barlow), Rula Lenska (Claudia Colby) and Malcolm Hebden (Norris Cole), who are part of a hilarious new storyline inside Stillwaters retirement home, won't be filming any more scenes.
Other cast on the list include Sue Nicholls (Audrey Roberts) and Barbara Knox (Rita Tanner).
Similarly to the team at Emmerdale, a Coronation Street spokeswoman told Mirror Online: “With regards to over 70s we will be adhering to all government guidelines and following the appropriate steps.”
Writers are currently ensuring that they are removed from plots going forward, but they may appear in scenes until mid-May because filming takes place weeks in advance.
It was announced two days ago that Corrie and Emmerdale have decided to reduce the amount of episodes they air each week.
The move to show only three episodes from the cobbles and five from the Dales each week comes in a bid to keep them on air for as long as possible.
A statement from ITV read: "The continued transmission of both soaps is a priority to all of us at ITV and to our audiences who enjoy the shows.
"Whilst carefully adhering to the latest health advice from the Government and Public Health England, our production teams are continuing to film episodes in Manchester and Leeds.
"With this change of transmission pattern it will ensure we have great new soap episodes coming to air every weekday night until at least the early summer.
"With effect from Monday 30 March Coronation Street and Emmerdale's scheduling pattern will be changing due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"Emmerdale will air Monday to Friday at 7pm and Coronation Street Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7.30pm."
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