SEVENTEEN Suspends Comeback Promotions Due To Staff Testing Positive For COVID-19

Pledis Entertainment has announced that SEVENTEEN will be postponing their comeback promotions for Your Choice after a member of staff tested positive for COVID-19.

According to the statement, after SEVENTEEN participated in a media production as part of comeback preparations earlier this week, two staff members (including one from HYBE Labels) received positive test results for novel coronavirus.

A media production took place on Tuesday, June 15 in preparation for SEVENTEEN’s 8th mini-album comeback. One HYBE staff member and one external staff member who were present on site were confirmed as COVID-19 cases on Friday, June 18 and Saturday, June 19, respectively.

— Pledis Entertainment

Thankfully, self-test kits administered on June 17 and PCR tests taken on June 18 confirm that none of the SEVENTEEN members have contracted COVID-19. Pledis Entertainment also assured fans that all the members are currently free from symptoms of infection.

As soon as initial symptoms appeared for the first confirmed case in the evening of June 17, the artists used self test kits to confirm that they were negative for COVID and underwent additional PCR testing as a preemptive measure; all artists were found to be negative when the results were returned in the morning of June 18. The artists currently are showing no symptoms whatsoever that may indicate an infection, such as fevers or respiratory disorders.

— Pledis Entertainment

Despite testing negative for COVID-19 themselves, SEVENTEEN must now undergo self-quarantine from June 19 to June 29 as they are classified as “close contacts” of the staff members. As such, promotional activities for Your Choice and title track “Ready to Love” (including the group’s upcoming online fan sign and appearance on SBS‘s Inkigayo) will be postponed. Pledis Entertainment states that they will issue details on the group’s updated promotion schedule following the conclusion of their quarantine.

The company went on to apologize to fans and stated they will continue to comply with all rules in place to protect the health and safety of SEVENTEEN and their staff. Read Pledis Entertainment’s full statement below.

[NOTICE] Postponement of SEVENTEEN 8th Mini-Album Activities

Hello.
This is PLEDIS Entertainment.

We would like to announce that SEVENTEEN’s promotional activities for their 8th mini-album have been postponed.

A media production took place on Tuesday, June 15 in preparation for SEVENTEEN’s 8th mini-album comeback. One HYBE staff member and one external staff member who were present on site were confirmed as COVID-19 cases on Friday, June 18 and Saturday, June 19, respectively.

As soon as initial symptoms appeared for the first confirmed case in the evening of June 17, the artists used self test kits to confirm that they were negative for COVID and underwent additional PCR testing as a preemptive measure; all artists were found to be negative when the results were returned in the morning of June 18. The artists currently are showing no symptoms whatsoever that may indicate an infection, such as fevers or respiratory disorders.

All staff on site at the June 15 shoot carried out preemptive self testing as well as subsequent PCR testing, and with the exception of the two individuals who were confirmed for COVID all were found to be negative. In addition, only staff members who were confirmed as negative took part in activities after Friday, June 18.

However, on Saturday evening, June 19, health authorities informed us that they have classified the artists as well as all on-site staff that took part in the Tuesday, June 15 production as close contacts and requested that affected individuals undergo self quarantine from the night of June 19 to June 29.

As a result, SEVENTEEN will postpone 8th mini-album promotional activities including their appearance on SBS Inkigayo scheduled for Sunday, June 20 and the SEVENTEEN 8th Mini-Album “Your Choice” Online Fan Sign event. Detailed schedules for the resumption of SEVENTEEN’s activities will be provided following the conclusion of their self quarantine.

We would like to ask all fans who have waited patiently for SEVENTEEN’s comeback and the members of the media for your generous understanding.

We will continue to fully comply with the requests and guidelines from health authorities, placing the highest priority on the safety of our artists and staff.

Thank you.

— Pledis Entertainment