No new COVID-19 cases recorded at BRIT Awards 2021

25 May 2021, 15:30 | Written by Cerys Kenneally

(News)

It's been confirmed that no new COVID-19 cases emerged from the BRIT Awards 2021 earlier this month, which hosted a live audience as part of the UK government's Events Research Programme.

The BRIT Awards 2021 was the first major indoor music event in the UK to take place following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and welcomed 4,000 people at the O2 Arena without any social distancing measures or masks as part of the UK government's Events Research Programme.

Over half the attendees were key workers, and following the event earlier this month, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden told the Evening Standard that no new COVID-19 cases were reported.

He said of the BRIT Awards and the other events involved with the government's Events Research Programme, "Overall it has been a real success."

The Culture Secretary did reveal that 15 cases of COVID-19 emerged from the event pilot scheme, which involed 58,000 people, but stated that he's "very hopeful" about the next stage of easing lockdown restrictions, which will allow venues able to reopen at full capacity on 21 June.

Last week Music Venue Trust started their #ReviveLive campaign after grassroots music venues were allowed to reopen for the first time in 15 months.