*Al Roker and Craig Melvin (from the “Today” show) find themselves off the air because a colleague on the (third hour of the) show contracted coronavirus.
The news was announced Monday morning by anchors Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb who are practicing social distancing by sitting apart. They said Roker and Melvin would only be off for one day as a precaution.
“Last night we learned that a colleague of ours on the third hour of ‘Today’ has tested positive for COVID-19 … so out of an abundance of caution, Craig and Al have taken the morning off, so we can trace their contacts, see what is going on with them, we promise to keep you posted, both are fine right now. They feel good, but caution is the order of the day,” Guthrie told viewers.
During the 8am hour, Guthrie notified the audience that the staffer in question is a man and said they are thinking of him. She also said they were sitting apart as a precaution as well.
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Roker, by the way, took to Twitter on Monday morning, telling followers he’s “feeling fine.”
“Don’t worry about us. Thinking about our colleagues and all those who are really suffering. And God Bless the health care providers and #FirstResponders helping,” he posted.
In a memo obtained by The NYPost, NBC News president Noah Oppenheim wrote to staff:
“We have learned that a TODAY employee based at 30 Rockefeller Plaza and working for the 9am hour has tested positive for coronavirus (Covid-19). We are fully supporting our colleague, who is experiencing mild symptoms and receiving medical care, and I know you join me in sending our very best for a quick recovery.
“As you know, we have been preparing for this possibility and are taking all necessary steps to ensure the health and safety of our teams, which includes multiple deep cleanings of our offices, control room and Studio 1A.
Oppenheim said he was asking all members of the 9am editorial team to work from home Monday.
“While we complete the social mapping exercise” and said staffers’ health and safety “are our top priority.”
The NBC News president added:
“This is in addition to our ongoing plan to have Tri-state area employees work remotely or stagger work hours, when possible.”
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