National lockdown update
Under current national lockdown restrictions in person performances are not possible.
Live streamed and pre-recorded broadcast performances are possible. This could be a professional artists performing from their own home or a group putting on a virtual concert. We have resources and subsidies to help with this:
We hope that once the current national lockdown measures are eased, we will move back to the tier system. We are leaving the previous tier guidance below as a reference to help you plan in person performances when it is possible.
We will update the guidance once more information is available on how we will move out of lockdown.
Tier Guidance (does not apply to current national lockdown - see above)
Tier four: Groups cannot perform in person under any circumstances
Tiers one to three: In person performance is possible with different limits on numbers in ech tier (see below for more detail)
What does the guidance say?
If your tier does allow you to meet in person you should be following DCMS guidance:
The guidance allows for performances to take place in tiers one to three – but with some restrictions depending on what tier you are in.
There is also an emphasis on thinking carefully about whether you should perform.
“Where not for work purposes, you should consider the case for proceeding (or not) with the activity given the wider health context in your area and the context of your participants, particularly if vulnerable individuals are involved.”
The rule of six and sub-groups of six are once again referenced in the official guidance. When it comes to managing performers this is confusing, as the rule of six refers to socialising and social activity. For the performers, singing or playing is an organised activity and not a social activity – so the rule of six does not apply. However, it means that you should not allow social interaction or mingling to take place at any point – before, during or after the performance.
See this quote:
“Social distancing should be maintained. In particular, non-professionals should not engage in activities that may lead to social distancing being compromised.”
But the rule of six does apply for the audience as they are taking part in a social activity (see ‘What can my groups do’ below for more info).
Social distancing rules must be in place for everyone at the event – performers and audiences.
The Performing Arts guidance also places a limit on audience size:
“From 2 December, audience numbers for indoor performing arts events should follow new capacity restrictions. In tier 1 and tier 2, indoor audiences are permitted provided capacity in a venue is maintained at maximum 50% capacity or 1000 people, whichever is lower. Audiences must be socially distanced and capacity may need to be further reduced to ensure social distancing at all times. In tier 3 performing arts venues will be closed to the public.”
What can my group do?
Tier four
Groups cannot perform in person under any circumstances.
Livestreamed virtual performances are still possible. These should not include people from different households gathering in the same place.
Tier one
Indoor and outdoor performances
Managing performers: the rule of six and sub-groups of six are referenced in the official guidance. When it comes to managing performers this is confusing, as the rule of six refers to socialising and social activity. For the performers singing or playing it is an organised activity and not a social activity – so the rule if six does not apply. However, it means that you should not allow social interaction or mingling to take place at any point before, during or after the performance.
To keep things clear and simple, Making Music recommend you don’t have sub-groups of six and instead have sub-groups of one (unless they are parent/child or partners or flatmates from same household). In other words, every single performer should be socially distanced (2 metres) at all times from every single other performer – including during breaks, arrival, departure and bathroom queue.
Managing audiences: Attending a performance as an audience member is social activity and so the rule of six does apply.
Individuals must be in sub-groups of a maximum of six and cannot interact or mingle with someone who is not in their sub-group of six – including arriving, leaving, queuing for the bathroom – or at any other point. This means group bookings should be limited a maximum of six and you need measures in place to stop sub-groups of six mingling with other sub-groups of six.
Indoor:
- The maximum allowed capacity is 50% of the venue or 1,000 people, whichever is lower.
- Audience cannot join in any singing.
Outdoor:
- The maximum allowed capacity is 50% of the venue or 4,000 people, whichever is lower.
- The audience can join in the singing but there should mitigating measures in place such as social distancing, face coverings and limiting the duration.
Travel between tiers
- Individuals living in tier 2 can travel to tier 1 areas – but should still follow tier 2 rules (see below), If you are using the ‘sub-groups of one’ approach for indoor and outdoor performances (above) this should not be a problem.
- Individuals living in tier 3 should not travel to other areas unless necessary (so should not travel for performances).
See COVID secure events and Risk Assessments below for more infromation on putting on performances.
Read the official guidance on tier restrictions.
Tier two
Indoor performances
Managing performers: the rule of six and sub-groups of six are referenced in the official guidance. When it comes to managing performers this is confusing, as the rule of six refers to socialising and social activity. For the performers playing or singing it is an organised activity and not a social activity – so the rule if six does not apply. However, it means that you should not allow social interaction or mingling to take place before, during or after the performance..
To keep things clear and simple, Making Music recommend you don’t have sub-groups of six and instead have sub- groups of one (unless they are parent/child or partners or flatmates from same household). In other words, every single performer should be socially distanced (2 metres) at all times from every single performer – and during breaks, arrival, departure and bathroom queue.
Managing audiences: Attending a performance as an audience member is social activity and so the rule of six does apply.
For an indoor event individuals can attend in sub-groups of people they live with or are in a bubble with, but cannot interact or mingle with someone who is not on their household/bubble sub-group – including arriving, leaving, queuing for the bathroom – or at any other point. So household / bubble bookings are possible and you need measure in place to stop sub-groups mingling with other sub-groups.
Capacity: The maximum allowed capacity is 50% of the venue or 1,000 people, whichever is lower.
Audience participation: the audience cannot join in any singing.
Outdoor performances
Managing performers: the rule of six and sub-groups of six are referenced in the official guidance. When it comes to managing performers this is confusing, as the rule of six refers to socialising and social activity. For the performers playing or singingit is an organised activity and not a social activity – so the rule if six does not apply. However, it means that you should not allow social interaction or mingling to take place before, during or after the performance..
To keep things clear and simple, Making Music recommend you don’t have sub-groups of six and instead have sub- groups of one (unless they are parent/child or partners or flatmates from same household). In other words, every single performer should be socially distanced (2 metres) at all times from every single other performer – and during breaks, arrival, departure and bathroom queue.
Managing audiences: Attending a performance as an audience member is social activity and so the rule of six does apply.
For an outdoor event individuals must be in sub-groups of six and cannot interact or mingle with someone who is not on their sub-group of six – including arriving, leaving, queuing for the bathroom – or at any other point. this means group bookings should be limited a maximum of six and you need measure in place to stop sub-groups of six mingling with other sub-groups of six.
The audience can join in the singing but should wear face coverings.
Capacity: The maximum allowed capacity is 50% of the venue or 2,000 people, whichever is lower.
Audience participation: The audience can join in the singing but there should mitigating measures in place such as social distancing, face coverings and limiting the duration.
Travel between tiers
- Individuals living in tier 1 can travel to tier 2 areas – but should still follow tier 2 rules.
- Individuals living in tier 3 should not travel to other areas unless necessary (so should not travel for performances).
See COVID secure events and Risk Assessments below for more infromation on putting on performances.
Read the official guidance on tier restrictions.
Tier three
Indoor performances
Indoor music venues will be closed to audiences so performances will not be possible. They can open for rehearsals (select the rehearsal option on this form to find out more) and for performances without audiences and recordings – see online performances below for more information.
Outdoor performances
Outdoor music venues will be closed to audiences.
Some outdoor music performances are possible, just not in dedicated music venues, but for instance in parks, on beaches, in the countryside accessible to the public, a public garden, grounds of a heritage site or castle, or a sports facility. So it is possible to put on performance at these kinds of outdoor venues:
Managing performers: the rule of six and sub-groups of six are referenced in the official guidance. When it comes to managing performers this is confusing, as the rule of six refers to socialising and social activity. For the performers, singing or playing is an organised activity and not a social activity – so the rule if six does not apply. However, it means that you should not allow social interaction or mingling to take place before, during or after the performance.
To keep things clear and simple, Making Music recommend you don’t have sub-groups of six and instead have sub- groups of 1 (unless they are parent/child or partners or flatmates from same household). In other words, every single performer should be socially distanced (2 metres) at all times from every single other performer – and during breaks, arrival, departure and bathroom queue.
Managing audiences: Attending a performance as an audience member is social activity and so the rule of six does apply.
For performances at these outdoor venues, audiences must be in sub-groups of maximum six and cannot interact or mingle with someone who is not on their sub-group of six – including arriving, leaving, queuing for the bathroom – or at any other point. This means group bookings should be limited to a maximum of six and you need measures in place to stop sub-groups of 6 mingling with other sub-groups of six.
The DCMS guidance does not give a specific capacity limit, we suggest tier three should follow tier 2 limits: the maximum allowed capacity is 50% of the venue or 2,000 people, whichever is lower.
Audience participation: the audience can join in the singing but there should mitigating measures in place such as social distancing, should wear face coverings and limiting the duration.
Travel between tiers:
- Individuals living in tier 1 and 2 should avoid travel to tier 3 areas unless it is necessary (so should not travel for performances).
Note: Groups in tier three might find it hard to book venues for performances as they might be closed.
See COVID secure events and Risk Assessments below for more infromation on putting on performances.
Read the official guidance on tier restrictions.
Online events
Even if you can in theory put on live carol singing performances, we know not all groups will want to. It is worth remembering that livestreaming and recorded performances for online broadcast are viable options. We have guidance on livestreaming and livestreaming subsidies for our promoter members to help with this.
COVID secure events and Risk Assessments
We encourage groups to think carefully about putting on performances. Music is a traditional and important part of the festive period and brings joy to many – we would love to see performances take place, where it is safe to do so. But each group needs to consider their particular situation. The local restrictions should be your key consideration but also consider the infection rate and mood in your local area.
Whatever tier you are in and whether performing indoors or out, all groups should undertake a comprehensive risk assessment and put in place strong risk mitigation measures. Specifically, groups need to spell out that there is to be no social interaction (no mingling) and put measures in place to prevent this happening.
It is crucial in order to ensure continuing permission to meet for individual groups and for the whole sector that groups avoid any mingling (=social interaction at less than 2 metres distance) during performances.
The Making Music’s risk assessment guidance has more infromation and includes a template risk asessment.
You should also read the DCMS guidance in full.
We have pulled out the 7 priority actions you must take as an organisation below.
Other key sections of the guidance include:
- Performing arts activity for professionals and non-professionals including individuals and groups
- Thinking about risk
- Managing performance
DCMS 7 priority actions:
- Complete a COVID-19 risk assessment. Share it with all your staff. We have produced guidance to help groups do risk assessments, including a template risk assessment.
- Clean more often. Increase how often you clean surfaces, especially those that are being touched a lot. Ask your staff and your customers to use hand sanitiser and wash their hands frequently.
- Ask your customers to wear face coverings in any indoor space or where required to do so by law. That is especially important if your customers are likely to be around people they do not normally meet. Some exemptions apply. Check when to wear one, exemptions, and how to make your own.
- Make sure everyone is social distancing. Make it easy for everyone to do so by putting up signs or introducing a one way system that your customers can follow.
- Increase ventilation by keeping doors and windows open where possible and running ventilation systems at all times.
- Take part in NHS Test and Trace by keeping a record of all your customers for 21 days. From 18 September, this will be enforced in law. Some exemptions apply. Check Maintaining records of staff, customers and visitors to support NHS Test and Trace for details.
- Turn people with coronavirus symptoms away. If a staff member (or someone in their household) or a customer has a persistent cough, a high temperature or has lost their sense of taste or smell, they should be isolating.
There is also Government Guidance on singing. It follows advice already given by DCMS and Making Music in our risk assessment resources. But is a useful collection of the key points in relation to singing specially.
|
