The Prime Minister has just announced that from 1 August, more sectors of the economy will be able to re-open including indoor performances in front of a live, socially-distanced audience being allowed in England. This comes as part of “Stage Four” of the plan – performances allowed indoors and outdoors, but with a limited socially-distanced audience indoors.
At the press conference this morning, the PM also stated that these plans are conditional. The permissions will be revoked if there are further outbreaks or if pilot schemes show an increase in coronavirus infection rates.
The news comes in a new wave of measures being lifted, reported live on BBC News. The rules before this, as part of “Stage Three”, stated that only outdoor performances could welcome crowds. Rehearsals and performances could take place indoors in COVID-secure venues with no audience, as long as risk assessments and general work guidelines were adhered to.
The announcement follows news of a £1.57 billion investment to protect the arts.
The Prime Minister says he hopes for “return to normality, possibly in time for Christmas.” We will update this story as we learn more.