EXCLUSIVE: A fully vaccinated cast and crew, Covid tests every two days and VERY lonely weddings: The extreme lengths Nine have gone to to ensure the new season of Married At First Sight is filmed safely
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Married At First Sight is likely to look very different next year.
Despite NSW plunged into a hard lockdown for months, executive producer Tara McWilliams was determined the new season should go ahead as planned.
Several important changes were made to accommodate Covid safety measures so the show was able to be filmed without any delays amid Sydney's hard lockdown.
Fully vaccinated cast and crew, covid tests and lonely weddings: How the new season of Married At First Sight was able to be filmed in Sydney despite NSW being in lockdown
Endemol Shine and Channel Nine took drastic measures to make sure that the show's experts, upcoming participants, and crew keep the production on track and were kept safe.
Fully vaccinated cast and crew
Daily Mail Australia understands that all the brides and grooms were required to get fully vaccinated before filming commenced in late August.
All crew including on location producers have also been double jabbed.
Essential! Despite the challenges of a global pandemic and NSW being in lockdown, executive producer Tara McWilliams (left) was determined the new season go ahead as planned
Chauffeured cars
For the first time the show's cast and crew are being chauffeured around in black tinted luxury cars rather than catching taxis and Ubers.
Each couple have been assigned a designated driver and no ride sharing is allowed.
Hire cars: To prevent catching COVID-19, the show's cast and crew are being chauffeured around in luxury cars rather than catch taxis. Pictured: Groom Andrew Davis
Riding solo? Each couple have been assigned a designated driver and no ride sharing is allowed. Pictured: Groom Brent Vitiello arriving back to his apartment
Covid-19 testing
The cast and crew are required to undergo mandatory Covid tests every 48 hours.
Sydney-based grooms Brent Vitiello, Jack Millar and Melbourne-based bride Ella May Ding have all been spotted visiting doctor and vaccination clinics.
Safety first! The cast and crew are required to undergo mandatory testing for coronavirus every 48 hours. Grooms Brent Vitiello, Jack Millar and bride Ella Ding (left) have all been spotted visiting doctor and vaccination clinics
Accompanied by minders at all times
For the first time, cast are required to be accompanied by minders at all times during their filming breaks - this includes going out for their hourly exercise and running errands.
An on-set source has told Daily Mail Australia this is to ensure that the cast 'follow the rules, and don't put the entire production at risk'.
Company: For the first time, cast are required to be accompanied by minders at all times during their filming breaks - this includes going out for their hourly exercise and running errands. Pictured: Bride Tamara Djordjevic (right) with a minder (left)
Face masks
For obvious reasons, the crew and participants are all required to wear masks on-set throughout production.
The cast are only able to take their masks off when filming was underway.
Camera crew must wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and makeup artists must wear face shields while making close contact with cast.
Safety first! For obvious reasons, the crew and participants are all required to wear masks on set throughout production. Pictured: soon-to-be groom (left) and two cameramen (right)
Small weddings
Fans hoping for lavish weddings full of disapproving family members may be slightly disappointed, as guest numbers were scaled back.
Daily Mail Australia understands that some couples were able to invite close family, while others were only allowed one guest due to government restrictions.
Downsized nuptials: Fans hoping for lavish weddings full of disapproving family members may be slightly disappointed, as guest numbers were scaled back
Local honeymoons
With both international and domestic travel out of the question, a majority of the couples stayed in New South Wales for their honeymoons.
Several couples were married in Richmond and the Hunter Valley, while another was treated to a penthouse suite at the Hilton in Sydney.
Zoom meetings
Similar to last season, the couples will be required to check in virtually with experts Mel Schilling, John Aiken and Alessandra Rampolla.
The brides and grooms are understood to have virtual catch-ups with head honcho Tara McWilliams.
Remote counselling: Similar to last season, the couples will be required to check in virtually with experts Mel Schilling, John Aiken and Alessandra Rampolla (pictured)
Ahead of schedule
Daily Mail Australia can reveal that despite reports that production would be delayed, filming started two weeks ahead of schedule in August.
The new season of MAFS will see the return of Puerto Rican sexologist Alessandra Rampolla, as well as veteran relationship experts John Aiken and Mel Schilling.
Married At First Sight is produced by Endemol Shine Australia, and filming is expected to last until the end of November.
Married At First Sight returns to Channel Nine in 2022
Do you recognise this groom? Daily Mail Australia can reveal that despite reports that the show's production would be delayed, filming started two weeks ahead of schedule in August
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