Liverpool to pilot live events ahead of lifting of Covid lockdown

Liverpool has been chosen by the Government as a testing site for a return to staging live cultural events.

The DCMS is working with the city to stage a number of events this spring covering comedy, music and outdoor performance with a view to getting audiences safely back into venues.

The results will form part of the Event Research Programme which will provide key scientific data looking at how events, both small and large scale, can reopen as part of stage 4 of the lockdown roadmap - due to take place from June 21 at the earliest.

It is hoped the Liverpool test events will be held throughout next month.

People attending test events are expected to need to return a negative test before the event and also have a Covid test afterwards.

There are still decisions being made on the number of people who will be allowed into the pilot events. These will be subject to discussions with event organisers.

Liverpool’s Director of Culture Claire McColgan said: “Liverpool is an event city. They are a critical part of our economy, culture and community, and so we’re delighted to be working with partners across Government, our colleagues at the University of Liverpool and a number of local venues and promoters to plan this series of pilot events.

“Our experience as the pilot city for mass testing means we have the knowledge and infrastructure in place to deliver complicated projects safely, and we really hope we can help provide the evidence needed to ensure the wider sector is able to open across the country in the coming months.”

Other test events being looked at by the DCMS include the World Snooker Championship at The Crucible, which opens on April 17, and FA Cup final at Wembley on May 15.