The Young and the Restless star Richard Burgi is axed from the soap opera for ‘naively and inadvertently’ violating COVID-19 policy: ‘I felt terrible about it’
Soap opera actor Richard Burgi was fired from The Young and the Restless after Christmas and is revealing it’s because he ‘naively and inadvertently violated the show’s Covid policy’.
The 63-year-old took to his Instagram stories to clear up rumors about why he was let go from the series, where he played Ashland Locke, explaining he was confused about isolation time after contracting COVID-19 in December.
The soap industry has been plagued recently with issues surround coronavirus safety protocols with several actors – like Ingo Rademacher and Steve Burton – fired for their refusal to follow them.
Honest mistake: Soap opera actor Richard Burgi was fired from The Young and the Restless after Christmas and is revealing it’s because he ‘naively and inadvertently violated the show’s Covid policy’
In Burgi’s case, however, he seemed to have just made a mistake due to conflicting policies between the CDC and the show.
The actor recently tested positive for COVID and ‘took the necessary five days the CDC had recommended, came back, and then tested twice negatively at the studio’.
Richard explained that when he got back to work after five days he didn’t realize it ‘was not within the show’s guidelines, which is a 10-day protocol.’
‘So I inadvertently violated the show’s Covid rules and protocols,’ he said.
‘So I inadvertently violated the show’s Covid rules and protocols,’ he said, explained that he tested positive for coronavirus and returned to work after five days of isolation per the CDC not realizing show policy was 10 days
‘I felt terrible about it,’ Burgi told his social media followers. ‘I still do. It bothers me mightily but it is what it is. I respect whatever the show’s decision is. They’re doing the best they can, as we all are.’
The CDC policy recently changed from 10 days in isolation down to five days.
‘I felt terrible about it,’ Burgi told his social media followers. ‘I still do. It bothers me mightily but it is what it is. I respect whatever the show’s decision is. They’re doing the best they can, as we all are.’
‘I truly wish the gentleman who’s coming in to play Ashland a wonderful time,’ Burgi continued. ‘He’s going to be working with the most incredible actress and a great, great cast. It’s an amazing show, I have nothing but good memories and good wishes for it.’
Meanwhile, General Hospital veteran star Ingo Rademacher recently sued ABC after being booted from show for refusing to get vaccinated.
‘I truly wish the gentleman who’s coming in to play Ashland a wonderful time,’ Burgi continued. ‘He’s going to be working with the most incredible actress and a great, great cast. It’s an amazing show, I have nothing but good memories and good wishes for it.’
Rademacher, 50, – who played Jasper ‘Jax’ Jacks on the show for 25 years – had previously applied for religious exemption from getting the coronavirus vaccine, after fellow cast member Steve Burton tested positive for COVID in August.
However, his application along with Burton’s, were denied by the TV network. The pair had previously been outspoken opponents of the coronavirus vaccine mandate that was put into effect on part of the set, known as Zone A, on November 1, where actors could initially work unmasked.
Prior to their dismissals, ABC held a 30-minute interview with both actors to give them an opportunity to prove their religious status, but the network clearly didn’t buy it. After the decision was made, Burton decided not to pursue legal charges.
Rademacher, who was then fired in early November, called ABC’s decision a violation of his right to privacy under the California Constitution.
Digging in his heels: Meanwhile, General Hospital veteran star Ingo Rademacher recently sued ABC after being booted from show for refusing to get vaccinated
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