Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has warned the live events industry that the country is entering a “period of heightened vigilance” due to the Indian variant of coronavirus.
He said on Twitter: “The crucial road map date for theatres, music venues and sports has always been step 4, so I understand this is an anxious time as we assess the situation over the next couple of weeks.
“We continue to make good progress with the vaccine rollout and with testing the safe return of audiences through the Events Research Programme, but must accept we enter a period of heightened vigilance with the new fast-moving variant.”
For Step 4 of the Roadmap, which will take place no earlier than June 21, the Government hopes to be in a position to remove all legal limits on social contact.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here