Thu, 01 Jan 1970 03:33:40 MSK

Sunday’s season premiere, filmed back on February 22 this year, showcases a not-too-distant past before social distancing and mask-wearing.

The five teams arrived on location in Brighton ready to take on this year’s task, each renovating a home from a different decade between the 1900s and 1950s.

What happened next is well-documented: The worsening coronavirus pandemic forced The Block’s production to shut down in March for 40 days.

RELATED: Everything you need to know about The Block 2020

Block cast and crew gather around the TV for another update from the PM.

A montage of scenes to come this season give a glimpse of how the chaos will unfold: We see The Block’s cast and crew looking shocked as they crowd around a television to watch one of Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s many addresses to the nation. “This is so scary,” one contestant says.

As borders close, contestants from interstate have to decide a course of action. “What are you going to do with your kids?” one couple is asked. “I’ll walk home if I have to,” another interstate contestant declares.

Some of the interstate couples have children back at home.

On day 35 of filming, it becomes clear production can no longer continue. “I’m sorry it’s come to this – I’m shutting it down now,” Scott Cam announces, as contestants are shown weeping.

Scott Cam finally calls it, 35 days in.

RELATED: The Block’s auction result turned the whole season on its head

It took 40 days for filming to resume – although tradies continued working on the site during that time to get the homes to a lockup stage.

The Block’s executive producer Julian Cress told the Herald Sun in May that the show “certainly didn’t force (the contestants) to return”.

“We kept in touch with them on a regular basis while they were home with their families and asked them, in light of where things stood, whether they felt comfortable returning,” he said.

“They all jumped at the opportunity.”

It remains to be seen what this season’s final run will look like – how do you hold a multimillion-dollar, five-home auction if Melbourne’s still in strict stage 4 lockdown?

After a controversial season last year that saw more than a few contestants complain about the enormity of the reno they had been tasked with, Nine had planned for a smoother run in 2020.

“We were trying to do an easier build than last year at The Oslo, which was definitely the most difficult,” Scott Cam said.

“As it turns out we were dealing with a pandemic while filming The Block and I think it has actually been harder for the contestants than ever before.”The Block's back on the beach

Contestants compete for the house of their dreams with a Brighton beach box challenge as The Block returns

The Block continues 7.30pm Monday on Nine.