Production has been suspended on the latest instalment in the Mission: Impossible series due to the coronavirus outbreak in Italy.

The upcoming film Mission: Impossible VII was supposed to have been filming for three weeks in Venice, beginning this week.

However, these plans have now been put on hold, after more than 200 people tested positive for the Covid-19 virus in Italy. This marked the largest number of confirmed cases of the virus outside of Asia.

Paramount Pictures confirmed that production has been halted on Tuesday morning, saying they had followed the advice of the Venetian government by exercising “an abundance of caution”.

“During this hiatus we want to be mindful of the concerns of the crew and are allowing them to return home until production starts,” they said.

“We will continue to monitor this situation, and work alongside health and government officials as it evolves.” 

Although Tom Cruise is set to star in Mission: Impossible VII, PA has reported that he was not in Italy at the time the new film’s production was put on hold.

The Mission: Impossible news came just one day after Brit Award-winning singer Mabel announced that she was cancelling a show in Milan, which had been scheduled for this week.

“So sad to have to write this, but safety is the absolute priority here!” she wrote on Instagram, adding that she hoped “to reschedule soon”.

Prior to this, British rapper Stormzy confirmed he would also be postponing the Asian leg of his Heavy Is The Head world tour due to the virus.