With no masks, gloves actors are the most vulnerable on sets: Ravi Krishna after testing positive for coronavirus

Dealing with the new normal has not been easy for the Telugu television industry. Ever since TV shows resumed shooting in mid-June, several actors have contracted coronavirus. Actor Ravi Krishna is the latest TV star to test positive for Covid-19, just four days after his Aame Katha co-star Navya Swamy had tested positive for the virus. Ravi Krishna says that he is asymptomatic and has isolated himself completely.“As soon as Navya tested positive, I decided to get myself tested too. Immediately after shoot, I rushed home and put myself in self-isolation. On Friday night, I found out that I too had tested positive. I’m living with my athayya (father’s sister) and mamayya who are both elderly people. I’ve asked them to get tested too and I’m making sure I cut off from them completely so that I won’t infect them.”
The former Bigg Boss contestant says he got the virus despite taking precautions and feels actors are at a huge risk because they’re exposed while shooting. “Unlike the technical team and production unit, actors cannot wear masks and gloves while shooting. So we are extremely vulnerable. We have taken all the necessary precautions but at the end of the day, when we face the camera, we don’t have mask and gloves on. So even if one person on the sets is careless and one small equipment somewhere is not sanitised, we are at a risk of getting infected,” says Ravi Krishna, adding, “It’s a tricky situation. If an actor refuses to shoot, then we might get replaced because the show has to go on. Acting is our bread and butter so we have no choice, but each time we step on to the sets, we’re putting our lives at risk.”

The actor admits that he was worried at first when he found out he had tested positive for Covid-19 but says he wants to stay strong and focus on recovery. “I don’t want to bother about how I got the virus. Now that I have gotten it, I want to just focus on recovering. I’ve been prescribed vitamin C, Zinc and multivitamin. I’m also eating a lot of healthy food. It’s only been a day so I’m still getting used to staying all by myself the entire day. Staying away from my loved ones has been the hardest — we’re living under the same roof but can’t see each other. Thankfully my friends have been there for me and have been constantly checking on me. They’ve given me the confidence that I will overcome this,” says Ravi Krishna, signing off.