Covid-19

Scotland will ease its Covid restrictions from Monday (January 24), removing limits on attendance at indoor events.

Nightclubs can reopen from the same date, coinciding with the end of social distancing requirements.

Scotland's Covid certifiaction scheme will be only be mandatory for entry to events of over 1,000 people. 

Organisers must check proof of vaccination or a negative lateral flow test for whichever is lower of 1,000 people or half an event's attendees. 

The Scottish Government says it stopped short of certifiaction checks at all venues because of the "significant fall" in Covid cases.

Theatres Trust Director Jon Morgan said the restrictions, announced before Christmas, had effectively shut down the majority of theatres in Scotland. 

"It will be a huge relief to theatres, artists and audiences that they will soon be able to reopen."

The theatre sector has welcomed a cut to the self-isolation period required following positive Covid tests.

From Monday (17 January), people in England will be able to leave isolation after negative lateral flow tests on day five and six.

It is hoped the reduction may alleviate ongoing pressure on productions, following a string of cancellations.

A spokeswoman from the Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre said the decision will have a positive impact on theatres and productions.

“This announcement is welcome news for the theatre industry, which – like many sectors – has been struggling amid high rates of absence among its workforce.”

The Welsh Government has made another £10.1m of Culture Recovery Fund money available to organisations affected by recent restrictions.

The £15.4m scheme, which includes £5.25m in winter stability funding, is open for applications via the Arts Council of Wales today (January 12).

Events are currently capped at 30 people indoors and 50 outdoors, two metres' social distancing is required in public and where possible at work, and the rule of six applies to any group visiting a theatre, gallery, museum or cinema.

Eligibility for the fund hinges on demonstrating a financial loss since December. The arts council's Chair Phil George acknowledged arts organisations "are facing a period of serious financial challenge".

"We are determined to ensure that arts and cultural organisations who play a key role in the wellbeing of communities across Wales will be able to bring solace, delight and vision as we struggle with the pandemic and as we recover and rebuild. The need for this support has obviously become even more urgent as a result of the impact of the Omicron variant.”

The 2022 edition of the London Art Fair has been postponed by three months.

Originally scheduled for January 19 to 23, the event will now take place April 20 to 24.

Organisers Immediate Live cited the "continued uncertainty and disruption" caused by a surge in Omicron cases as reason for the postponement.

"Whilst we could have continued with the event as planned within government guidelines, we are keen to deliver the best possible fair for our galleries, sponsors, partners and visitors," a statement reads.

Hosted at the Business Design Centre, the fair plans to showcase work from more than 100 galleries alongside a line-up of talks and workshops.