ITV is said to be monitoring Australia's coronavirus situation closely as it prepares to make a final decision on this year's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!
Last year the show was based in Gwrych Castle in Wales rather than the Aussie jungle and even though ITV has the option to reuse the venue this year, the first preference is to return down under.
The broadcaster is said to have been granted a government exemption allowing the crew and contestants to enter the country, although once in Australia they will have to abide by whatever local restrictions are in place at the time.
Australia has adopted a particularly tough stance with COVID rules, shutting its borders and implementing snap lockdowns in an effort to control the spread of the disease.
Almost half of the country is currently in lockdown - including on the Gold Coast, where I'm A Celebrity is filmed - following a recent spike in cases.
"The plan is for I'm A Celebrity to be filmed in Australia and at the moment that is still the case," a show source told The Sun.
"But seeing Queensland and other parts of Australia go into lockdown because of coronavirus outbreaks is the kind of news they dread.
"People in the affected areas are not allowed to work for three days and are in total lockdown.
"Filming is still a way off but if something like this happens nearer the time, they may have to rethink their plans.
"The Australian government have given foreign film crews the greenlight to work and they need productions to continue for jobs and the economy.
"However if outbreaks worsened and there were further lockdowns this could all change.
"Those at the top of the chain at I'm A Celebrity are constantly monitoring the situation."
ITV is expected to make a final decision about this year's series at some point in August.
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