Lockdown is eased, but not for theatres

Boris Johnson has given the green light for theatres to re-open, but not for stand-up comedy.

Under the relaxation of lockdown rules announced this lunchtime, the Prime Minister said venues could open after July 4 but only to screen old performances – not stage new ones.

Reasons given are the difficulty of maintaining social distancing during performances and the extra risks associated with singing spreading the virus. However, neither would be an issue for a solo stand-up performance.

Futhermore, bingo halls are allowed to reopen on July 4, meaning it’s now permitted for a person to stand in front of a crowd to read out bingo numbers - but not tell jokes. What would happen if a comedian played a bingo hall isn't clear – and Chortle understands Mecca Bingo is planning a series of stand-up gigs in its rooms.

Speaking in the Commons, the Prime Minister said: ‘We will work with the arts industry on specific guidance to enable choirs, orchestras and theatres to resume live performances as soon as possible.'

Pubs and restaurants can also reopen with safety measures such as table-only service. They will also be advised to take customers’ names and contact details so that they can be traced later it if turns out someone infected with Covid-19 was also in the building.

Nightclubs and gyms must still remain closed, while the two-metre social distancing rule has been relaxed to ‘one metre plus’ to encourage people to try to stay as far apart as possible, but no closer than one metre.

Across the Irish Sea, Dublin's Laughter Lounge has announced that it will reopen in August.

The venue has released a ten-page document detailing the measures it will be taking to arrest the spread of Covid-19. The include reduced capacity, app-based food and drink ordering,  the microphone to be sanitised between acts, comedians to star at least two meters from the front row, 

Published: 23 Jun 2020