Ministerial Statement on reopening schedule

Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, made a Ministerial Statement confirming that Step 4 of the reopening roadmap in England will be on 19 July at the earliest.

Jon Morgan, Theatres Trust Director responds:

In view of the current status of the pandemic, confirmation that restrictions will not be lifted earlier than 19 July is understandable. It does however place the theatre sector in a difficult position, with no clarity yet that theatres will be able to fully reopen at that time. This makes planning incredibly challenging for the theatre industry.

What the theatre sector really needs at this moment is a commitment that events already found to be safe through the Events Research Programme, including indoor theatre, can reopen fully on 19 July.