TVB On A 2-Day Shutdown After A Singer Tested Positive For COVID-19

Singer Zaina Sze has become the first Hongkong artiste to be diagnosed with COVID-19. According to reps, the 24-year-old was not experiencing any symptoms but decided to go get tested as others around her were showing signs of the disease, only to find out that she was infected as well. Her publicist Ah Jia, her manager Apple Lau, and Apple’s actor boyfriend Robert Mak have also tested positive for the highly contagious virus.

As Zaina had visited TVB City multiple times for events and interviews recently, the station announced that it will be under lockdown on July 19 and 20, cancelling all activities on those two days. Large-scale disinfection measures were carried out almost immediately, and all TVB employees are required to go for testing.

Zaina’s diagnosis has caused a lot of panic since she had just been at the filming of music show Jade Solid Gold on July 16 with almost 100 other artistes, singers, and staff, including 53-year-old bombshell Irene Wan.

Shortly after the news was released, Irene came forward to clarify that she had not been in contact with Zaina during the shoot as the latter had only arrived after Irene had left. However, in order to be safe, Emperor Entertainment Group manager Mani Fok will make arrangements for Irene and other artistes to get tested.

Other stars who are potentially at risk include singer Fiona Sit, who took a mask-less selfie with Zaina. She posted the pic on July 14. Although she later revealed that they had only met briefly, she will go get tested and will update everyone when the results are out.

Even those with a second or third degree connection to Zaina have been put on high alert. As actresses Kayan Yau and Joey Thye had recently been in an acting class with Zaina, filming for their new drama Detective Investigation Diaries has come to a halt so that everyone involved can go get swabbed.

On July 18, Joey posted her negative test result on Instagram, but said that she will continue to self-isolate.

However, it looks like the COVID spread could still be growing. On July 18, Hongkong’s Apple Daily received a tip-off from a reader who saw around 10 artistes going for testing at Hong Kong Baptist Hospital.

Robert’s recent whereabouts have also become rather concerning. The 61-year-old shared that he had held a private fan meet with about 40 people and developed symptoms the next day, leading to speculations that he could have caught the virus at the event.

A netizen also revealed that Robert was at a dinner with many other stars during the 14-day virus incubation period, including Ron Ng, Michael Tse, Grasshopper’s Remus Choy, and Matthew Ko. Everyone removed their masks as they ate, drank, and sang karaoke for three hours before getting together for a big group photo at the end.

Photos: Zaina Sze/Instagram, HK01, Apple Daily