Boris Johnson has announced in a press conference today plans to fully reopen the country, removing social distancing, working from home and masks, from 19 July. Test and Trace will no longer be in operation, meaning venues do not need to collect attendance data for each visitor.
This means that theatres will be able to open at capacity – great news for theatre producers. Many productions have postponed the openings to late July because of social distancing, and are selling tickets with venues a full capacity.
Mass events, including festivals, will also be allowed under the proposals for the final stage of the road map out of lockdown.
The news comes also as a huge boost to the hospitality industry, which has struggled to make a profit with limited capacity allowed indoors due to social distancing regulations.