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Updated advice on COVID-19 from SOLT and UK Theatre 10 March

The following email was received on 10 March by LTG from the office of the CEO of SOLT (Society of London Theatres)

Following our communication last week, this email is to give you an update as to the extensive work underway – work that we have accelerated as contingency if the situation deteriorates further.

We are in daily contact with DCMS to ensure we have the latest advice – this is two-way information flow so we can ensure specific concerns from our industry are understood at the centre of government planning.  We will be part of a central government session in the early part of next week targeted at the creative industry sector.

To re-iterate what we communicated last week:

  • At the moment, our understanding is that there is no clear rationale for ‘closing events’ and unless a specific scenario develops within your organisation, the government encourages business as usual.
  • If you or your staff feel ill, you/they should stay home, isolate and visit https://111.nhs.uk/service/covid-19 or call 111 for advice.
  • Similarly, there is no official government advice to postpone travel to/from the UK apart from to/from a few countries and territories of the world, and at any time the current advice is here.  This situation obviously can change at short notice but the link has the latest FCO advice.

The next week

 We are organising a series of events/briefings in the next week including:

  • Wednesday 18 March 11.30am-1.00pm – we will be using the first 90 minutes of a symposium with key UK-wide theatre operators and producers to brief on planning around the coronavirus situation, and to hear feedback on impact being felt across the UK.  More details on this will be sent to all UK Theatre members shortly.
  • Wednesday 18 March 5.00-6.00pm – We will have an open session for SOLT members to brief them on the impacts in London, and planning for the future.  More details on this will be send to SOLT members later this week.

This week, we are also planning to have meetings with the unions, and with the theatrical charities on support for individuals, as well as doing some contingency planning for the months ahead.

Latest guidance

Please ensure you consult the Public Health England website for the latest and most current information and advice.

The government plan published last week is here.

We can all play a part in prevention and the NHS guidance is here.

HERE is a poster for you to use at stage doors, with the latest hand-washing advice, and also guidance on restricting visitors backstage etc – Please print this out and display backstage so there is consistency in theatres across the UK.

 Further support and links

 

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The following email was received on 3 March by LTG from the office of the CEO of SOLT (Society of London Theatres)

Dear SOLT and UK Theatre Members,

Julian took part in a call yesterday with DCMS in which the Deputy Chief Medical Officer gave advice about the spread of the COVID-19, Coronavirus in the UK. Following the government’s published advice today, we would like to share the following information with you.

  • At the moment, our understanding is that there is no clear rationale for ‘closing events’ and unless a specific scenario develops within your organisation, the government encourages business as usual.
  • If you or your staff feel ill, you/they should stay home, isolate and visit here or call 111 for advice.
  • Similarly, there is no official government advice to postpone travel to/from the UK – there is some specific advice about a few countries and territories of the world in terms of travel, and at any time the current advice is here.

Latest guidance
Please ensure you consult the Public Health England website for the latest and most current information and advice.

The government plan published today is here.

We can all play a part in prevention and the NHS guidance is here.
 
Supporting your staff
You may wish to consider the following in guiding and supporting your staff:

  • Are staff able to work at home easily if needed?
  • If a member of staff/cast member/backstage staff member is unable to be in work due to self-isolation or a family member being ill, do you have sufficient back-up/understudy capability to continue?
  • Encourage staff to stay at home if they are showing any signs of illness.

Insurance
In this developing situation, the position with respect to insurance in the case of cancellation is unclear and in all cases, you should consult with your broker / insurance company.

  • Productions – some cancellation cover may include losses arising from “communicable diseases” although this may be impacted by specific exclusions and when the policy was taken out (there is little or no prospect of Coronavirus being covered on policies taken out in recent weeks). The amount covered may also be limited and only be sufficient for short term closure.
  • Venues – the standard policy for Business Interruption may contain an extension clause covering communicable or infectious diseases but these tend to only be effective if the disease is found at the premise. A government-imposed closure would not normally be covered, even if beyond the control of the venue.
  • Employers – under liability insurance companies have a duty of care to staff and visitors, so it is important that the latest government advice is distributed and adhered to in order to mitigate potential negligence claims.

Exchanges and cancellations
Policy on exchanges or refunds remains at individual organisations’ and companies’ discretion at the present time, linked to the current government advice that there is no clear rationale to cancel events presently.  If this advice changes, then ticket policy may also have to change at that time.

Further support and links

  • You can visit HERE or call 111 to seek medical advice.
  • The Theatre Helpline is a free and confidential email and phone (0800 915 4617) service available to all theatre industry workers.
  • Artsminds is an organisation which supports performers and creatives.

CEO Office
SOLT and UK Theatre

0207 557 6700