Boris Johnson delays return of indoor performances

Johnson originally announced earlier this month that indoor performances (with a live audience) could return from tomorrow (1 August).

However, during the latest coronavirus briefing today (31 July), Johnson has put the brakes on a number of things reopening/returning, including the indoor performances.

The BBC reports that the delay is due to an increase in new COVID-19 cases. He said, "We simply cannot take the risk."

Masks will also be compulsory in museums, galleries and cinemas by law from 8 August.

The Music Venue Trust, who launched the #saveourvenues campaign in April, has since responded to the delay on indoor performances. The statement reads, "Music Venue Trust and the network of grassroots music venues across the UK are saddened but not surprised to hear that live music events planned from Saturday 1st August in response to government advice must now be cancelled."

"Since May 2020, Music Venue Trust has repeatedly informed the government that live music events in grassroots music venues would be extraordinarily difficult to stage, not economically viable, and at risk of being cancelled at short notice during the current pandemic," Music Venue Trust continue. "A number of venues across the country have attempted to stage such events based on advice from the government, incurring substantial costs to make their venues safe. That expenditure now adds to the growing mountain of debts accrued by those venues working within the government guidelines."

"Music Venue Trust has consistently asserted that no grassroots music venue will be able to stage live music events before October 1st at the earliest, yet The Prime Minister has stated that the new reopening date might be as earlier as 15th August," the statement reads.

MVT add, "Music Venue Trust would like to restate and emphasise the position of the sector, which is that a clear and decisive position on the part of government to provide support for grassroots music venues in the form of efficiently distributed crisis funding until such time as they can re-open safely and viably would provide the much needed clarity that venues, artists, audiences and the wider public need."