Gemma Collins continues filming Diva Forever despite PM's guidelines amid COVID-19 pandemic

TV and film sets are shut down around the world amid the coronavirus pandemic.

But, Gemma Collins, 39, continued filming her show Diva Forever in Essex, on Thursday, despite the prime minister’s guidelines amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The former TOWIE star’s day of filming comes just a week after she urged fans to ‘be sensible and do what the government says’ while stockpiling for self-isolation.

Diva Forever! Gemma Collins, 39, continued filming her show Diva Forever in Essex, on Thursday, despite the prime minister’s new guidelines amid the COVID-19 pandemic

The reality star stepped out clad in a pair of light wash skinny jeans and a pretty floral blouse boasting a ruffle neckline.

Gemma was preened to perfect with a full face of make-up and her platinum bob freshly blown.

She carried her belongings in a designer tote bag while clutching onto a dry-cleaned Gucci cardigan.

According to onlookers, The GC filmed with 7 members of crew for her reality show Diva Forever, despite government guidelines saying to stop any close contact.

Really!? Her day of filming comes just a week after she urged fans to ‘be sensible and do what the government says’ while stockpiling for self-isolation

Running errands: She carried her belongings in a designer tote bag while clutching onto a dry-cleaned Gucci cardigan, with cameras capturing her every move

Close contact? According to onlookers, The GC filmed with 7 members of crew for her reality show Diva Forever, despite government guidelines saying to stop any close contact

Stylish! The reality star stepped out clad in a pair of light wash skinny jeans and a pretty floral blouse boasting a ruffle neckline

Pretty lady: Gemma was preened to perfect with a full face of make-up and her platinum bob freshly blown

Filming: The television star spoke to the camera as she stood outside her boutique

The TV star could be seen chatting on camera inside Brentwood Beigels cafe as she ordered some lunch.

Part of the filming saw Gemma shut down her clothing boutique, before having an emotional phone call with ex boyfriend Lawrence.

Just last Friday, Gemma took to Instagram Stories to reveal she was stockpiling groceries amid the coronavirus outbreak, and urged fans to ‘be sensible and do what the government says’.

Gemma’s video started from the comfort of her car as she and a pal put on some gloves, as they were ‘taking no chances.’

She put on some plastic gloves to hit up her local Marks and Spencer to make sure she was ready in case she did need to self-isolate.

Caught on camera: Members of the show’s crew were with her at all times

Locking up: Part of the filming saw Gemma shut down her clothing boutique

Commanding attention: Gemma raised her hands and called out as she strolled along

The TV star bellowed ‘Covid-19, Covid-19, Operation Covid-19’ as they prepared to go off and get their haul.

Gemma said: ‘We are being sensible, I’ve called upon @thisgirlcanorganise. I didn’t want to get caught up in it all. We are off to get some food shopping.

WHAT IS THE NEW GOVERNMENT ADVICE?

Avoid social contact
Work from home if possible
Avoid pubs, clubs, theatres and other social venues
If someone in your household has symptoms of coronavirus (cough, fever or unusual shortness of breath), everyone in the home self-isolate for 14 days
If isolating, only go outside for exercise, and do it away from other people
Ask for help with daily necessities like food and medical supplies
If that is not possible – for example if you live in a remote area – you should limit social contact as much as possible
Vulnerable groups should self-isolate for 12 weeks from this weekend even if they have no symptoms – This includes people aged 70 and over and other adults who would normally be advised to have the flu vaccination, including people with chronic diseases such as chronic heart disease or chronic kidney disease, and pregnant women. A full list is here
All unnecessary visits to friends and relatives in care homes should end
Continue to take your children to school unless they or someone else in your home has symptoms of the coronavirus (cough, fever or unusual shortness of breath)
Londoners need to socially distance and work from home even more than the rest of the UK because the disease is more widespread there
Mass gatherings should not happen – they will no longer receive emergency services’ protection if they do go ahead

‘We are taking no chances. The message I want to get across is everyone starts being sensible, doing what the government are saying…

Shows across the nation hang in the balance as the global crisis continues to worsen, with long-running soaps such as Coronation Street, EastEnders and Holby being suspended.

Coronavirus was classed a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) last week, leading countries such as Italy, Spain and China to implement nationwide lockdowns.

Sporting events, music festival and other social gatherings have been either cancelled or postponed due to the crisis.

Nearly 200,000 people around the world have been infected and almost 8,000 have died since the outbreak began last December.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged Brits to work from home, stay away from bars, clubs and restaurants and avoid ‘all non-essential contact’ for 12-weeks.

The PM has warned that the coronavirus was now in a phase of rapid spread across the UK, with London seeing a particular surge, and it is time to take radical action to stop the NHS being swamped.

He has insisted that everyone should avoid contact that is not absolutely necessary – with restaurants, bars and cinemas and travel off limits, and an end to large gatherings.

Admitting that the squeeze could last 12 weeks or even longer, the PM acknowledged he was ‘asking a lot’.

Entire households should self-isolate for two weeks if one person has been showing symptoms, and older people should prepare to stay away from risks for months to come. He said that meant ‘you should not go out, even to buy food or essentials’.

The breakneck developments came amid growing criticism of the UK government’s response, which has looked increasingly out of step with that around the globe.