It’s‘business as usual’– for now
Fears that coronavirus could cancel cultural events in South Lanarkshire were quashed this week.
South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture (SLLC) have said it’s“business as usual”for the time being.
In a report to the area committee last Wednesday,
SLLC venue manager Charlie Ingham and recreation manager Laura Clelland reassured worried councillors that planned events would go ahead until advice from the government or South Lanarkshire Council changed.
Ms Clelland said:“We have just had an update this morning.
“There is no direction to stop big events that have been programmed.
“Practices and procedures have been put in place to ensure we are doing everything that we can.”
However, since then First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced that she had asked organisers of all mass events (of 500 people and more) to postpone or cancel their events.
The Scottish Government does not have the power to impose a ban, with that directive having to come fromWestminster.
SLLC confirmed they have noticed an impact from the coronavirus outbreak, with some service users choosing not to go to events they’ve already paid for.
Mr Ingham added:“We are aware of people who have bought tickets and are not turning up because of coronavirus.
“Some events have had to be postponed to later in the year but otherwise it is business as usual.
“We will continue until the government or the council decide to do something else.”
The UK government has stepped up its response to the outbreak imminently, moving from the containment phase to the delay phase which could include restrictions on large gatherings.