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

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the passage of aerosol particles when singing; and for what reason are singers exempt from the requirement to wear face coverings introduced on 30 November 2021.

Answered by Julia Lopez - Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

Some activities can increase the risk of transmitting COVID-19, including singing. This has been demonstrated through studies including the NERVTAG and PERFORM studies.

However, in some circumstances, people cannot do their work activity effectively while wearing a face covering. The DCMS ‘Working safely during coronavirus: Events and attractions’ (updated on 22nd December) explains that professional performers (and amateur performers who are part of professional activities) are not required to wear a face covering while they are performing or rehearsing, but should be encouraged to do so if possible.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment the (a) Chief Medical Officer and (b) Chief Scientist have made of the risk of singing without a facemask in indoor settings; and whether he has received advice from those persons on singing inside without a facemask.

Answered by Maggie Throup

Neither the Chief Medical Officer nor the Chief Scientific Advisor have made this specific assessment and have not provided any such advice.