Probably – if UK follows the Italian timetable

Britain’s theatres and comedy clubs may have to wait until the end of the year to reopen, if the UK follows the same timetable as Italy.

The Italian government yesterday announced the first stage in easing lockdown restrictions, with 99 categories of mainly office and factory-based businesses told they can reopen from May 4.

If the relaxation does not lead to an overwhelming spike in Covid-19 cases, stores will be allowed to open on May 18, followed by bars, restaurants, hairdressers and beauticians on June 1. However businesses will have to follow social distancing, and at any point the health ministry will be able to order closures again.

The measures are broadly in line with a hypothetical timetable reported ten days ago, which suggested cinemas and theatres would have to remain shut until December. There was no news of such venues in yesterday’s announcement from Prime Minister Guiseppe Conte, pictured.

And returning to Downing Street this morning Boris Johnson warned that he would not ‘throw away the sacrifice of the British people’ by easing lockdown restrictions too quickly... and risk a second peak.’

Italy’s timetable is a lot more pessimistic for the British comedy industry than a ‘traffic light’ system proposed for the UK earlier this month, which suggested theatres could be reopened as early as mid-June.

Last week, the National Theatre’s artistic director Rufus Norris said he was hoping to open the doors again in July, but was also planning for other scenarios based on reopening in September or January — or possibly later.

The next review of the UK’s measures is scheduled for May 7.

The Italian Government announced its shutdown on March 12, more than a week before Britain.

Published: 27 Apr 2020