(Credits: Picture-Alliance/DPA/U. Mauder/Mariinsky Theatre Official website)

COVID-19 has struck the Bolshoi and Mariinsky Theatres.

According to the sources close to the Mariinsky Theatre that spoke to the RBC reporters, a large number of artists at the Mariinsky Theatre fell sick with COVID-19. According to the same sources, all the rehearsals of the ballet “Giselle” have been postponed, and artists who are not actively involved in the rehearsals were told to stay out of the theatre.

The Bolshoi Theatre told the RBC that one ballet dancer fell sick with COVID-19 symptoms and that all her contacts have been quarantined since, and also tested for COVID-19. The artists who did not have any contact with the sick ballet dancer kept on with their duties, per the statement from the Bolshoi.

The press service of the Mariinsky Theatre stated that all of its artists get regular COVID-19 tests, and that only those who test negative might be allowed to work.

“Regarding the ballet dancers who reported deterioration in their health status, all of them were promptly removed from work and underwent urgent COVID-19 tests,” further elaborated Mariinsky Theatre.

Bolshoi Theatre is set to open on September 6 with the production of “Don Carlos,” starring Anna Netrebko, Ildar Abdrazakov, Yusif Eyvazov, and Agunda Kulayeva.