New Zealand’s Events Transition Support Payment (ETSP) scheme will be extended until January 31, 2023 and will also be expanded to include business events. The scheme was originally introduced at the end of last year to help large events recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and run during the summer, but the arrival of the Omicron …
New Zealand events affected by ‘red’ restrictions
New Zealand has moved to its ‘red’ level of restrictions following an outbreak caused by the Omicron variant of COVID-19. The country uses the ‘traffic light’ system to detail its restrictions to limit the spread of infection. Moving to ‘red’ means that both indoor and outdoor event attendances are limited to 100 people in a …
Northern Ireland, France to ease restrictions, German live entertainment bodies call for help
Northern Ireland has joined the rest of the United Kingdom in easing a number of COVID-19 restrictions. However, the country will maintain the COVID-19 certification scheme for nightclubs, indoor unseated or partially seated events with 500 people or more. The COVID-19 certification scheme means that attendees will still have to provide proof of double vaccination …
Industry reacts to removal of ‘Plan B’ restrictions in England
Industry figures have reacted to the news that UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is removing ‘Plan B’ restrictions in England from Thursday next week. ‘Plan B’ constituted wearing masks inside venues, theatre and at events, and also presenting proof of vaccination against COVID-19 through a COVID pass upon entry. While these measures will no longer …
Covid passes in England to be scrapped from Thursday next week
The UK Government confirmed this (Wednesday) lunchtime that so-called ‘Plan B’ restrictions will be eased in England from Thursday, January 27, meaning COVID-19 passes will no longer be required for entering sport and entertainment venues, events and nightclubs. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson also announced that face masks will no longer be required, but should be …
Western Australia to require vaccination proof for entertainment venues and events
Western Australia residents will have to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 for indoor entertainment venues, nightclubs, music festivals and live music venues from later this month. Proof of vaccination is already in place for higher-risk venues in Perth and Peel, but the scheme has now been extended state-wide. Visitors to indoor establishments such as …
Theatres and concert organisers await Scottish restriction decision
From Monday next week, large outdoor events in Scotland will be able to go ahead without physical distancing or capacity limits, while measures covering indoor events will be reviewed on January 18. In December, the Scottish Government cancelled some large-scale events and limited attendance numbers at others, including sporting matches, in a bid to reduce …
Hong Kong Disneyland closes temporarily due to Omicron
Hong Kong Disneyland has closed its gates temporarily, citing the recent global surge of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. While hotels and restaurants will remain open with limited services, the parks have been closed since Friday, and will remain shut until January 20. This most recent closure for Hong Kong Disneyland marks the fourth time …
Scotland’s culture and major events sector to receive financial aid worth £65m
Scottish Culture Secretary Angus Robertson has confirmed the culture and major events sector will be supported through a £65m (€77.6m/$87.7m) financial package, amid current COVID-19 restrictions in Scotland. The events sector is set to receive £19.8m while cultural businesses, organisations, venues and grassroots venues, along with independent cinemas, will be given £31.5m. National performing companies that …
Belgian court wins battle for theatres
Theatres and cultural venues in Belgium have won an initial legal victory to reopen after the Belgian Government imposed COVID-19 restrictions, forcing them to shut. Belgium’s supreme administrative court, The Council of State, suspended the forced closures announced by the Government to curb an increase in Omicron cases. The victory has not outlined what is …