Yahoo News Will Smith and Jada's company responds to COVID workplace outbreak
Will and Jada Pinkett Smith's production company Westbrook Inc has responded following an outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) there, the first to be reported at a production company since lockdown and social distancing measures were put in place.
The news has sparked a conversation in the industry about the effectiveness of the safety protocols, and even if it is too early to begin production on projects (that involve lots of people in one place) again.
The company has told Variety that it has suspended work on one project, which it did not name, but is continuing to work on other projects. They have also reportedly stopped using the firm that provided the testing and results, although the firm has denied this.
Related: Will Smith admits he "wasn't happy" with Men in Black sequel
In a statement issued to the publication, Westbrook Inc said: "We received 10 positive tests and the crew members quarantined and remain in quarantine. All 10 people were retested and have received negative results.
"We will continue to follow all official guidelines and safety protocols."
Related: Will Smith's new movie is heading straight to Apple TV+
Westbrook Inc is responsible for various projects, including the recently announced reboot of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, which will be based on a viral video from last year, and take a more serious look at what is like to be a Black man, although it will still have the "swagger" of the original.
They also produce Jada Pinkett Smith's podcast Red Table Talk, which featured her revelation that she had a secret relationship while her and Will were briefly separated.
The information in this story is accurate as of the publication date. While we are attempting to keep our content as up-to-date as possible, the situation surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to develop rapidly, so it's possible that some information and recommendations may have changed since publishing. For any concerns and latest advice, visit the World Health Organisation. If you're in the UK, the National Health Service can also provide useful information and support, while US users can contact the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
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