IMPORTANT UPDATE: One-metre distancing is still required for band halls and at rehearsals
Nobody would deny how confusing it can be to closely follow – and adhere to – the ever-changing rules, regulations and guidance for Covid restrictions – especially as each country in the UK is relaxing the measures at its own pace.
Take the Scottish Government’s latest easing last Monday of the additional restrictions imposed on Boxing Day, for example. The one-metre physical distancing rule was lifted in hospitality and leisure settings and the ‘maximum of three households’ social interactions at home and in indoor public places was dropped.
SBBA mistakenly interpreted this as applying to band halls and playing at rehearsals as well.
However, Scottish Government guidance on performances and rehearsals has been updated to cover the following:
A person who is performing indoors does not need to wear a face covering if there is a partition between that person and other people or if there is at least one metre between that person and other people.
Performers are able to perform or rehearse for a performance without face coverings in situations on stage where the wearing of a face covering is not possible, and one-metre distancing or partitioning is not possible.
This exemption will only apply in situations where there is either a partition or a distance of at least one metre between performers and other people (including the audience) but ‘other people’ does not include those who are performing or rehearsing with the performers or assisting with the performance or rehearsal.
SBBA is grateful to all those bandspeople who raised concerns about our original announcement on 18 January in which we erroneously said that the one-metre rule had been lifted for brass band rehearsals. We sincerely apologise for any confusion that might have arisen.
The full guidance can be found on the Scottish Government’s website for Coronavirus (COVID-19): cultural performances and events guidance at https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-cultural-performances-and-events-guidance/pages/precautionary-measures/
