Soaps such as Coronation Street and Emmerdale were forced to halt production in March due to the coronavirus pandemic and as a result have cut down the number of episodes being shown per week to keep the soaps on air for as long as possible.

But according to ITV chief executive Carolyn McCall the government is keen for the broadcaster to get its soaps back on air several times a week as soon as possible in order to keep viewers entertained.

Broadcast reports that, during an ITV Powerbank briefing, McCall spoke about the government's eagerness for Corrie and Emmerdale to resume production, saying that they have been "supportive and accessible".

ITV

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"ITV's role is to inform people but also entertain and engage them – and that is vital at the moment," she said. "The government is very keen for us to bring back the soaps as soon as we can, while observing the social distancing measures."



The broadcaster is reportedly creating a plan for the soaps to resume production, which according to Broadcast could involve using one-way staircases and Perspex screens in editing suites.

With Australian soap Neighbours resuming production this week, Coronation Street and Emmerdale could look to them for ideas on how to film safely; Neighbours has eliminated kissing scenes and will use camera trickery to make socially-distancing actors look like they are standing closer together than they are.

There is no official word on when the soaps might run out of new episodes to broadcast but several actors have suggested that there are currently enough left to keep them on air until June or July.



Coronation Street currently airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7.30pm on ITV. Emmerdale currently airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7pm on ITV.



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