Some interesting announcements today from Bojo and the subsequent social media craze of having access to the exact same info but coming up with wildly different interpretations. As is the norm, there will be some sort of follow up in the next few days, but the highlights that I think will directly affect us from 1st August are:
- Enable the restart of indoor performances to a live audience, in line with COVID-19 Secure guidelines, subject to the success of pilots that are taking place as soon as possible.
- Carry out pilots in venues with a range of sizes of crowds, particularly where congregating from different places, including sports stadia and business events. The pilots, some of which will begin in late July, will be carefully monitored and evaluated to inform future decisions on any further relaxation of the rules. If plans progress in line with expectations, pilots will expand to build up to and prepare for a full, socially distanced return in the autumn.
- Enable wedding receptions; sit-down meals for no more than 30 people, subject to COVID-19 Secure guidelines. Over time, we will assess whether gatherings of this type for other purposes can be made possible and when larger wedding receptions can take place.
The specific number of 30 is an odd one, as I would dare say that a 500 capacity wedding venue would be more Covid-19 secure with a guest list of 200 as opposed to 30 people squeezed into a pub function room, but the illogical aspects of this whole ordeal is certainly keeping things interesting.