Musicians call on government to provide 'clear guidance for concert hall safety' as restrictions lift

This afternoon, the Prime Minister has announced that all social distancing measures will be lifted on 19 July. 

But organisations in the music industry have expressed their concern regarding concert hall safety, and have called on the government to provide clearer guidance.  

James Williams, managing director or the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) said: 'Whilst the government’s announcement advising that Covid restrictions will be lifted from 19 July gives us all the sense of hope we need, to date the government has failed to provide the performing arts with a sustainable operational roadmap that will ensure the economic viability of performances and the safety of venues, artists and audiences.

'There is an important task to be done rebuilding public confidence and providing the necessary reassurance that returning to the concert hall and the enjoyment of live performances can be done safely. This requires from government a robust roadmap that sets out a transition from socially-distanced concerts to full-capacity events based on clear criteria, risk management protocols and meaningful, shared data from the Events Research Programme.

'Economically, venues and ensembles need full-capacity concerts, but the transition must be operationally and economically sustainable; the return to another lockdown in the autumn would be catastrophic for the sector. 

'The RPO is fully committed to playing its part in the ‘building back’ that lies ahead, including enriching lives and supporting wellbeing after numerous lockdowns. But to be viable the economic sustainability of our work depends upon audiences and performers being safe in the concert hall.'

UK Music's Jamie Njoku-Goodwin has pointed out that there is 'one final piece of the jigsaw' missing - 'action to resolve the market failure on events insurance.'

'The critical need for a government-backed insurance scheme has been repeatedly made clear by industry and by Julian Knight and the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee,' he continued. 'While welcome, the confirmation that restrictions will be lifted from July 19 does not make this problem go away.' 

'Suggestions of restrictions being reintroduced in autumn or winter mean organisers won't have confidence to plan events beyond summer. So, it’s vital we get a government-backed insurance scheme to enable organisers to plan ahead without risk of financial ruin if restrictions reimposed.

'The insurance scheme government introduced for the film and TV industry has been hugely successful and has saved countless jobs and businesses. We now need the same for the live events sector, otherwise we risk losing some festivals and music events forever.'