Indoor gigs can resume in England from August 1st, Boris Johnson announces

At a press conference this morning, Boris Johnson confirmed the date for when “indoor performances” including gigs would return in England: August 1st.

The measure was announced today as part of a raft of lockdown relaxation rules designed to revive the British economy.

The PM stated that the reopening would have to be done in a “Covid-secure way,” presumably with limited audience sizes, and it would be subject to the success of pilot schemes.

Johnson also said he hopes the government would be able to “pilot larger gatherings in venues like sports stadia with a view to a wider reopening in the autumn”, and that he hoped for a “more significant return to normality by November.”

Earlier this month, a £1.57 billion package was unveiled to save the arts industry, which will be split between museums, galleries, theatres, cinemas, concert halls, heritage sites and live music venues across the UK.