Indoor Covid restrictions extended
Shows cancel as Covid measures continue to Jan 24
Indoor events will not resume at normal capacity until Monday 24 January 2022 at the earliest, as the Scottish Government extends indoor Covid mitigation measures for an extra week.
The measures, introduced on Boxing Day for an initial period of three weeks, include the capping of indoor seated events to audiences of 200.
Bailey McCall as Jenna in the US Tour of Waitress. Pic: Jeremy Daniel
The production of Waitress, scheduled to run at the Edinburgh Playhouse from Tue 18 to Sat 22 January was the first victim of the latest change and has been postponed until April 2022, according to a statement from the Playhouse.
The statement adds: “If you have tickets to these performances, you do not need to do anything at this time. You will be contacted from your point of purchase in the next few days with next steps.”
The production of Bedknobs and Broomsticks at the Festival Theatre, originally scheduled to run from Wed 19 to Sun 23 January is also likely to be postponed.
The theatre said: “Following the FM’s announcement today that restrictions for indoor events will remain in place for another week from 17 Jan, we are speaking to the relevant producers about affected shows and will be in touch with customers as soon as possible.”
cautious optimism
However, speaking at Holyrood on Tuesday 11 January, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said there are “some grounds for cautious optimism” that the various measures against Covid, “have had a positive impact”.
The measure include “the protective measures introduced before Christmas, the responsible action on behalf of the general public and the rapidly delivery of booster vaccines.”
She added: “We will begin to lift the measured introduced before Christmas from Monday, but we will do that in a phased way, that will allow us to form a clearer picture in the trends in infections and the associated impacts.”
The first measure to go will be the attendance limits at live outdoor events. While these will be lifted from Monday 17, any event with more than 1,000 people in attendance will now have to request proof of status from half the attendees or 1,000 people, which ever is the higher.
The Scottish Cabinet will review the latest data at its meeting on Tuesday 18 according to Sturgeon who said: “I hope this will allow us to lift the other protective measures – limits on indoor live events, table service in hospitality and distancing in indoor public places – from 24 January.”
The First Minister will report details of that discussion to MSPs in Holyrood on Tuesday 18 January.
NB: This story was updated on Wednesday 12 January as a new date for Waitress was confirmed.
ENDS
