(Credit: http://www.visitczech.com/)

Fifteen employees have tested positive for the COVID-19 at the National Theater in Prague, said spokesman Tomáš Staněk.

The spread of the infection occurred among members of the Choir of the Opera of the National Theater, of the Orchestra of the State Opera, and of the section of technical staff. The rest of the ensemble and staff continues to work under very strict hygiene rules, per Staněk.

The employees who have tested positive for the novel coronavirus remain in the quarantine. According to Staněk, none of these employees was in direct contact with the audience. The infection was first discovered among members of the Chorus of the National Theater, which prompted the authorities to send the entire 62-members chorus into the quarantine.

The National Theater in Prague has since deployed stringent safety rules, which include mandatory body temperature checks upon entering the theater.

The National Theater opened the 138th theater season with an open air ceremony on the Střelecký’s Island.