AUDIENCE members could be sprayed with disinfectant as they enter theatres and gigs under plans to reopen the industry later this year, HOAR can reveal.
The Government has given the go-ahead for trials of the anti-bacterial spray among a raft of measures being considered for bringing back performances in a Covid-secure way.
Theatre-goers would be asked to walk under large metal detector-style arches which would spray a light mist of disinfectant as they walk underneath.
It would be used alongside other measures such as temperature checks.
Plans for disinfectant spray have been pioneered by composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, who showed the disinfectant arches to Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden earlier this month.
It has been used in South Korea’s capital Seoul and in cities in China as part of efforts to get theatres and cinemas reopened following the pandemic.
Some live performances at venues across the UK will be able to start as early as August 1 but will have to conform to strict social distancing rules.
Only a limited number of venues and performances will be able to go ahead next month due to reduced capacity and limited ticket sales to ensure social distancing.
Actors, musicians and conductors will all have to follow social distancing too.
Ministers have set a goal to reopen theatres more fully in time for pantomime season in November because it is the most lucrative time of the year for the industry.
But Labour has called for the Government to give the industry a more definite timetable amid fears of mass job losses in the sector.
Shadow Culture Secretary Jo Stevens said: “It’s all very well promising to get theatres running in time for Panto season but beloved venues from Stockport to Southampton have already closed, with big job losses.
“Theatres need clarity and fast.
“They also need cash to keep going until its safe to reopen so we can all enjoy them again.”
