Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will publish a strategy to re-open the live events sector as covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased.

The ‘COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021’ announced by the Prime Minister on the 22 February provides a roadmap out of the current lockdown in England, including for live events.

The design of the roadmap has been informed by the latest scientific evidence and seeks a balance between our key social and economic priorities, whilst preserving the health and safety of the country. The Government aims to allow spectators to attend some large events, including live music events, from Step 3 (17 May at the earliest), subject to a cap on attendance and local authority approval.

Events where social distancing is unlikely to be possible, for example music festivals where audiences are standing rather than seated, will not be permitted to go ahead until step 4, subject to the findings from the Events Research Programme. This Programme will explore how large events can return with reduced social distancing requirements.

Whilst dates remain conditional, we know that the sector has been calling for “no earlier than” dates and the roadmap provides these at 5 week intervals between each step. This is to allow the government and health experts time to assess the impact of the previous step and provide a week’s notice before changes occur.