For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, beginning August 2020, England will allow indoor concerts, but with social distancing and other guidelines.

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport, will first be holding test runs with socially-distanced audiences to create the final and formal guidelines for August 2020, as the country enters Phase 4 of its five-stage reopening plan for live events.

“The UK’s performing arts sector is renowned across the world and I am pleased that we are making real progress in getting its doors reopened to the public with social distancing,” U.K. culture secretary Oliver Dowden said in a statement. “From August indoor theatres, music venues and performance spaces will safely welcome audiences back across the country.”

This, of course, means venues will still have to follow issued measures, not operate at full capacity and use online ticket selling to minimize person-to-person contact. Additionally, social distancing markers will be placed for the audience, while venues will have to undergo deep cleaning measures and operate with staggered performance schedules.

“It’s an important step to now have a date for reopening live performances with social distancing in indoor venues, but there is still a long road ahead for musicians, performers, and the sector as a whole. The Government needs to continue to work with the industry as a whole so we can get back to live events and let the music play,” said UK Music Acting CEO, Tom Kiehl.

Posted by:Staff