Coronavirus: Joy Behar steps back from The View and top shows halt production

‘I don’t look my age, but I’m actually up there,’ says host

Joy Behar on The View. (ABC / The View)

Joy Behar is stepping back from her hosting duties on The View due to the coronavirus pandemic.

According to ABC, which airs the daytime talk show, Behar announced her decision during a taping on Thursday, citing her age.

“I’m in a higher risk group because of my age, but I’m perfectly healthy,” Behar said.

“I don’t look my age, but I’m actually up there. The number makes me dizzy.”

No one on staff at The View, including Behar, has tested positive for the virus. Behar won't appear on the show starting Monday. Her co-hosts Whoopi Goldberg, Sunny Hostin and Meghan McCain will carry on as usual. The View is currently filming without a live audience – a step taken by other programmes in the US such as late-night talk shows.

Behar, 77, said she made the decision after her daughter urged her in a phone call to take all necessary precautions for her health.

People of all ages can be infected by the virus, according to the World Health Organisation.

Older adults appear to be more vulnerable and more likely to develop severe symptoms.

The World Health Organisation has urged people of all ages to protect themselves from the virus in order to help stall its progression.

People are advised to wash their hands frequently, maintain social distancing, avoid touching their faces, covering their mouth and nose with their bent elbow when they cough or sneeze, and seek medical care promptly if they cough, have difficulty breathing, or have a fever.

Behar's decision to step back from The View comes as top TV shows have halted production. Grey's Anatomy has stopped filming according to Deadline, as have others including American Ninja Warrior, Riverdale, The Wendy Williams Show, The Morning Show, and Russian Doll.

The Netflix series Grace and Frankie was among the latest to announce a hiatus, according to a statement published by Deadline.