It’s good news for punters... we’re looking forward to what we call normality
Hall and Perth Theatre, including the return of our much-loved Christmas panto.
“The people of Perth have been without live performance for too long and we can’t wait to get back to what we do best, and what they love most – putting on great shows and events in our fabulous venues.
“Many shows are already on sale but we’ll be announcing our full autumn offering on Friday, August 20 with tickets on sale from Wednesday, August 25.
“We’ve been listening to our audience’s concerns about how we can make them feel comfortable when they visit.
“We’ll continue to operate many of the COVID-19 mitigations that we already have in place including increased air circulation, hand sanitisation points, protective screens and more.
“Under the amended guidelines it will continue to be a legal requirement to wear a face covering in our venues until otherwise advised.”
From August 9 many of the coronavirus lockdown restrictions active since March 2020 will be removed from Perth and Kinross.
Changes involve physical distancing rules and the limits on gatherings being removed, with all venues allowed to reopen.
Monday will see‘Freedom Day’ take effect and the following rule easings brought in:
• The law requiring residents to maintain physical distancing when visiting shops or hospitality venues will be scrapped.
• Limits to the size of social gatherings will be removed.
• Nightclubs, live music venues and theatres can finally reopen their doors. The government is currently engaging with the‘night time’sector on guidance to ensure they can return safely.
• Capacity limits of 2000 people indoors and 5000 people outdoors for events, although some exceptions may be possible by applying for permission to the local authority. It marks an increase as the limit in level zero was 400 indoors and 2000 outdoors.
• An adult who is identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID will no longer be required automatically to self-isolate for 10 days. If someone is double-vaccinated - with at least two weeks having passed since the second dose – and if they have no symptoms, they should get a PCR test as soon as possible. If the PCR test is negative, self-isolation comes to an end. If someone aged between five and 17-years-old is identified as a close contact, they will need to take a PCR test - but can end self-isolation if it comes back negative.
• Those arriving from countries on the amber list - except France
- no longer have to quarantine if they have been double-jabbed.
However, some requirements will continue the same as in level zero, including:
• People will still have to wear face coverings in all the same indoor settings as in level zero, such as schools, shops, hospitality venues and public transport. The measure will be kept under review, but first minister Nicola Sturgeon said it was likely to remain the law “for some time to come”.
• Customers will still be expected to register their details when visiting entertainment and hospitality venues with the Test and Protect service
• The Scottish Government is also continuing to advise people to work from home where possible, with employers being encouraged to consider gradual returns or a hybrid model of home and office working.
As for schools:
• Pupils and teachers in secondary schools will continue to wear face coverings and the one metre social distancing rule will remain for at least six weeks.
• Whole classes will no longer need to self-isolate when a pupil tests positive, with only the closest contacts of positive cases required to test and isolate.
• All school staff and secondary school pupils will be asked to take a lateral flow test one or two days before they return to school for the new term. They should then take them twice a week after that.
• Carbon dioxide monitors will also be required in schools and childcare settings.