The coronavirus outbreak has affected nearly every business and industry in the country, including the film and television industry. Even filmmaker Tyler Perry has decided to temporarily close his Atlanta-based studios, and stop all projects in efforts to prevent the further spread of the virus.
Perry has reportedly shut down all production on his original programming for films and TV shows for networks such as the Oprah Winfrey Network, Nickelodeon and BET. All the network's projects are currently postponed.
Other productions that lease out space at the state-of-the-art studio stopped production as well.
Perry addressed the health issue in an Instagram post where he shared a screenshot of Grammy-award winning singer Yolanda Adam's "This Too Shall Pass" cover, saying it was what he has been listening to recently to help him "stay positive, and to remember that this is all in God’s hands and that this too shall pass."
Perry also encouraged people to take the pandemic seriously and highlighted the importance of social distancing and taking care of each other, especially those who are at higher risk.
"I would love to see a lot more prayer and a lot less panic. A lot less finger-pointing and a lot less judgment. What I would love to see is us being one nation, under God, INDIVISIBLE!! Please listen to your local and state governments. Social distancing should be taken seriously," Perry wrote.
Meanwhile, entertainment giants Netflix, Disney, and MGM Studios have also put their blockbuster projects on hold to curb the risk spreading the coronavirus.
For more information about Tyler Perry Studios, visit tylerperrystudios.com or follow Tyler Perry on Instagram @tylerperry