UK government unveils five-step plan to bring back live performances

During yesterday's daily briefing, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden unveiled his roadmap to getting the performing arts sector back up and running following the coronavirus pandemic.

Both music and theatre venues have been closed since March due to coronavirus, and over 400 grassroots music venues across the UK are at risk of closing permanently due to the lack of support from the government.

When presenting his five-step plan, Dowden said the government are "working with the sector to get it fully back up and running as soon as possible and considering ways in which we may be able to support it further in addition to this unprecedented financial assistance."

The first stage of Dowden's roadmap will allow rehearsals and training for performances to take place with social distancing guidelines still in place, and no audiences would be allowed at this stage.

Dowden's second step proposes that performances for broadcasting and recording purposes could take place with social distancing measures, again with no audience present. A spokesperson for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport confirmed to the BBC that the first two stages could start immediately.

Stage three will allow outdoor performances to take place with a socially-distant audience in attendance, as well as pilot indoor performances with a limited audience.

The fourth stage will allow both indoor and outdoor performances to take place, with social distancing measures still in place for indoor events.

Dowden's fifth and final stage will allow a larger audience to attend both indoor and outdoor performances.

The response to Dowden's roadmap hasn't been overly positive despite him saying that it "provides a clear pathway back", as the Culture Secretary failed to announce potential dates that the stages could be introduced.

BBC reports that Tom Kiehl, acting CEO of UK Music said, "A roadmap is welcome but we also need a timeline for when live performances can resume. Financial help in the form of sector specific support is increasingly needed to stop music businesses from going bust."