Friends Cast To Be Tested For COVID-19 And Quarantined Before Filming Reunion

The cast of Friends will be tested for COVID-19 before the reunion special takes place in August.

Matt LeBlanc, Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox, Matthew Perry, Lisa Kudrow, and David Schwimmer are all set to reunite next month when they film HBO Max's one-off reunion special of the hit sitcom.

But amid the coronavirus pandemic, the stars — who will reminisce on their time on the show in a roundtable style special — will have to undergo testing and quarantine measures before being allowed on set. The special will also be filmed without a live audience.

A source told The Sunday Mirror's Watts the Goss column: "Everyone is really hoping production and filming can resume next month. It's full steam ahead right now, but there are going to be very strict guidelines and that includes no live audiences. That's a big blow because bosses were desperate to create an authentic atmosphere.

"All of the cast will be tested for COVID-19, and asked to quarantine in isolation after they've had the tests."

The special was originally scheduled to debut on HBO Max in May, but was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. In June, series co-creator Marta Kaufmann revealed the long-awaited reunion special could start shooting in August.

She said: "We are hoping to be able to shoot in August, if all is well and there is no early second wave and the studio is open. If everything is in place and we understand all the protocols and we can still make a good show, we'll be shooting it some time, mid-to-late August."

— BANG

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