Production on the big-budget Lord of the Rings TV show in New Zealand has been shut down amid concerns around COVID-19 (coronavirus). The New Zealand Herald reports that the shutdown was ordered on Sunday evening. Production will be suspended for at least two weeks.

　　A memo sent to cast and crew also mentioned that "there are no clear answers to when we will resume production." This is a big move for one of the largest productions in the world, as the Lord of the Rings show employs a gargantuan staff of around 800 cast and crew.

　　You need a javascript enabled browser to watch videos.

　　Click To Unmute

　　Tears Of The Kingdom Is A Technological Marvel

　　Resident Evil 4 Is A Perfect RemakeHow Alan Wake II Made Me Face My Fear of Horror GamesGameSpot's Top 10 Games of 2023Thompson: The Pop Culture Icon’s Strange Legacy - LoadoutFirearms Expert’s FAVORITE Weapons Of 2023State Of Gaming Handhelds In 2023Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Ichiban Kasuga Character Spotlight TrailerHow Lies of P Cracked the Souls GenreLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Chitose Fujinomiya Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Eric Tomizawa Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Kazuma Kiryu Character Spotlight Trailer

　　Share

　　LinkEmbed

　　Size:640 × 360480 × 270

　　Start at: End at: Autoplay Loop

　　Want us to remember this setting for all your devices?

　　Sign up or Sign in now!

　　Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos.

　　This video has an invalid file format.

　　00:00:00

　　HTML5

　　Auto HD High Low

　　Report a problem

　　Sorry, but you can't access this content!

Please enter your date of birth to view this video

　　By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's

　　Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

　　enter

　　Now Playing: Best Things To Stream For March 2020 - Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video

　　The memo was sent by the production company GSR Productions, but Amazon has not officially commented at this time.

　　"In an abundance of caution, UAP [Untitled Amazon Project] has suspended production for the next two weeks commencing Monday, March 16," the statement said. "This is done in an environment where travel restrictions directed at the control of COVID-19 are issued daily by New Zealand and most other countries."

　　"We are doing this to minimise stress on the resources and infrastructures around us by doing our part to reduce population density in our communities and daily activities, in efforts to help reduce the spread of the virus," the statement goes on to say.

　　New Zealand has eight confirmed cases of COVID-19, as of March 16. The country recently announced a self-isolation strategy that requires everyone who enters New Zealand to self-quarantine for 14 days, and they must detail their plan upon entering the country.