Clarity to the confusion over the relaxation of Coronavirus restrictions

At last there appears to be some clarity amidst all the current confusion surrounding what brass bands can and cannot do during the current relaxation of the COVID-19 restrictions.

Now that the majority of Scotland is in Level 2 of the Coronavirus protection programme, it has emerged that the position on brass playing is that each group must apply mitigations to reduce risk before meeting up outside.

The current Scottish Government guidance can be found at https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-the-performing-arts-and-venues-sector/

Alison Reeves of the Making Music organisation has told SBBA: “It looks like there are no formal caps on numbers and the guidance is that capacity for non-professional performing arts activities for adults should be calculated based on ensuring two metre physical distancing is maintained.

“The guidance refers to the operational guidance for professionals where there are suggested mitigations for singing and wind playing. There would appear to be nothing that restricts brass bands (or choirs) further than any other music making.”

Alison added that the Scottish advice refers directly to the strategic framework that states that non-professional performing arts activity can take place outdoors in Level 2 and indoors from Level 1.

“It looks to me that there is nothing to stop any brass band in Level 2 meeting outdoors now – as long as they risk assess and that hygiene measures and the two-metre social distancing apply along with other mitigations – and in any numbers that could be regarded as safe i.e. retaining the social distancing,” she said.

The official Scottish guidance delegates the application of mitigations to each group, which Alison describes as “sensible” given that each band’s environment is different. She added: “We will continue to advise on all mitigations to continue to reduce this risk.”