Media remains an essential service and continues to toil during these tough times of coronavirus. In a bid to bring news amid the current crisis, media professionals are risking their lives, and now the pandemic is showing how it doesn’t discriminate. 

The news channels including Times Now, Mirror Now and ET Now in Mumbai which runs under the Times Network, has confirmed that six of its employees have been tested positive for the coronavirus. Out of six, four of these employees work on the desk for Mirror Now; two are pantry staff of ET Now and one PCR van operator.

The leading broadcaster in a statement to media website BestMediaInfo.com on Sunday said, “Despite practising all safety measures and precautions while fulfilling their duties, four of our colleagues at Mirror Now and two support staff members have tested coronavirus positive. Following BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) guidance, they have been shifted to the mandatory quarantine facility at a private hospital in Mumbai and are doing fine”.

The broadcaster also stated that the rest of their staff is tested negative.

“The rest of our team members have all tested negative and continue to be lodged with us safely. As per standard protocol, BMC has conducted anti-virus sanitisation at our Lower Parel premises, and it will be ready for resuming operations by mid next week,” the statement added.

The broadcaster said the staff required to run actions that can’t be run from home is being kept at the company premises at altered locations to minimise their contact with the surroundings.

According to reports, BMC has directed usual anti-virus sanitation of Times Network’s office which will be closed for some days and will resume operations by mid next week.