Most Scots still concerned about potential health impact of Covid-19

ABOUT 20 per cent of people said they are planning to avoid arts and culture events they would have attended before the pandemic, new research showed.

Research commissioned by government agency Creative Scotland found 55% of people said they were still concerned about the potential health impacts of Covid.

More than a third of people aged 70 and over ruled out returning to certain events, while 32% of people with a long-term illness or disability said they would avoid them.

About three-quarters said they were comfortable with the idea of outdoor events, according to research by consultancy 59 Degree Insight, who surveyed 1,105 Scots.

According to pre-pandemic figures, the arts, culture and creative sectors in Scotland were worth nearly £4 billion to the economy, supporting more than 70,000 jobs.

But, with many people concerned about their finances for the rest of the year, live music, theatre and cinema trips are the most likely to suffer from a cutback on spending.

One in six Scots said arts and culture had become important to them since the first lockdown was ordered in March 2020.

But only half of those surveyed were happy to return to all the events they would have attended before the pandemic.

Trips to the cinema, live concerts, plays and comedy gigs were found to be the events people were most keen to go back to.

But demand was “suppressed” the most for theatre, classical music, literary events, opera and dance shows.

People were also found to be more reluctant to go to smaller indoor venues than large-scale arenas, according to the research.

Asked if there were any events they would prefer not to attend now or in the future, one respondent said: “Anything indoors where physical distancing would be compromised because of the numbers of people attending.

“Also, places with poor natural ventilation.”

Another said: “Any arts and cultural events where people congregate in close proximity.

“I would be happy to attend such events again when I’m satisfied there’s no health risk and if I think they will be worth attending.”

The official report on the research findings states: “Although Scotland has seen the phased easing of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions and undergone an intensive vaccination programme, the impact of Covid-19 is likely to be felt for some time to come.

“Encouragingly, findings show that public comfort levels with attending arts and cultural events and venues are increasing.

“However, demand remains suppressed compared to pre-pandemic levels.

“In the context of new variants such as Omicron and the rising cost of living, unpredictable periods of vulnerability are an ongoing concern for the creative sectors and may require sector-wide support, planning and resilience.”