COVID-19: HOW DO WE GET NIGHTLIFE OPEN?

An audience of plants in Barcelona Opera

Whether it is concert halls, theatres or night clubs, the country's nightlife is important for jobs, the economy and our enjoyment.  Music festivals too.

Outdoors is safer than indoors.  Yet music festivals have still rightly had to close.  I've missed them!

Some outdoor events have been happening.  I've been to a 'drive-in' musical event, which worked well. 'Silent discos' work well too.  Other outdoor formats are being tried, whilst it is still warm enough to do them outdoors.  Great


THE PROBLEM IS INDOORS

Hï Ibiza, last August 2019

But it is indoors that is the problem, with people in close proximity.   Nightclubs across the world are being blamed for local surges in infections.  All the dance clubs in Ibiza are closed, the mainstay of the island's economy, with obvious consequences. 

The more we come together, the easier COVID-19 will spread.  Despite that, as we head into autumn and winter, when we need to get indoors, how are these venues going to open?

That is perhaps the biggest question of living with COVID-19, which will be with us for the foreseeable future to a greater or lesser extent.  Yes it's important that schools need to re-open, and stay open.  But re-opening nightlife is a far bigger challenge.

Jez, Adrian and Noreen in their Oxford pub

I know many people in the live entertainment industry, including musicians, promoters and venue owners.  One of my daughters ought to be in the entertainment team on a cruise ship in China right now, but it has sailed off without her.  The livelihoods of these folk are under intense pressure.

Venues are closing down.  There is some government support in England, but it's not enough, and putting venues in mothballs is not the same as getting venues quickly open again.


One group is now developing a Global Nighttime Recovery Plan, due in September.  I'll be keeping a close eye.

Update 19/8/20:   A report from Berlin’s Clinic Charité suggesting that Opera Houses and other convert venues could be opened with all seats occupied has since been rejected by its Board, with the comment "did not reflect the position of the board" as it "does not take into account the current dynamics of the infection process and the associated risks."

Update 18/8/20: After a relaxation of the rules in England from 15th August about indoor events in England, there was a tentative first comedy gig at The Grand in Clapham on Sunday 16th with Pub Landlord Al Murray amongst others.  The Evening Standard reviewer noted: "...the 1,250 capacity was limited to about a hundred and, perhaps most challenging of all given the calibre of the acts, we were asked not to laugh too loudly to avoid aerosol transmission of the virus."  A first step.  Fingers crossed for further shows.

Update 23/8/20: In England, organisers of illegal gatherings [as wpu;d have been illegal pre-COVID] of more than 30 people such as raves can now be fined up to £10,000.   Those who attend gatherings and those who do not wear face coverings where it is mandatory can be given a £100 fine, doubling on each offence up to £3,200.


IN CONCLUSION

I guess you share my frustration with COVID-19 and want to see things back to near-normal as soon as possible, with nightlife of all kinds open.  There is only one way.  That is to get infection levels right down to #Near Zero.  The government needs to act right now!