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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Entertainment
Robin Murray

Bristol gig-goers urged to take Covid test before attending venues

After living with various restrictions for a year and a half, from today we all have more freedom after the final lockdown measures were eased.

One activity missed by many since the start of the pandemic has been attending gigs, but with venues returning to full capacity, they are finally able to resume after a 16-month hiatus.

As always in Bristol there are plenty of cracking bands lined up to perform over the coming weeks - but gig-goers are being urged to take caution to help avoid the spread of coronavirus.

READ MORE: Rave returns as Bristol's nightclubs reopen on Freedom Day

Music Venue Trust has launched a campaign which calls on people with tickets to live music shows to take a voluntary lateral flow test before they head to the venue.

The charity, in consultation with grassroots music venues across the country, is launching #takeatest on social media, which urges music fans to "accept responsibility to keep themselves, their fellow gig-goers safe and the staff at music venues safe as restrictions are lifted".

Music venues, artists and fans themselves are being asked to promote the initiative on their own social media platforms before they host, perform at or attend an event.

Free lateral flow tests can be ordered online and are available from local pharmacies, or for home delivery by visiting the Government's website.

Mark Dayvd, CEO of the Music Venue Trust, said: "We have spoken at length to our community about reopening venues safely as restrictions are lifted, and whilst there are differing opinions on some aspects of how we will achieve this there is a consensus about asking music fans to accept personal responsibility to keep themselves and others safe.

"We have an opportunity through this strong, unified #takeatest messaging across the live music sector to persuade audiences to accept that responsibility and to take a lateral flow test before attending.

"This is a voluntary initiative that speaks to the sense of community across the grassroots live music sector.

"We are confident that live music fans will respond positively to this direct appeal from venues, promoters, artists and their fellow gig-goers."

Bristol's Night Time Economy Advisor, Carly Heath, has backed the campaign, adding 'we want negative tests and positive vibes'.

As it stands, venues will not be required by law to enforce social distancing, mask wearing or any obligatory use of Covid tests or vaccine passports for customers.

The Government has said it will be "urging" - but not demanding - venues to use Covid-status certification.

As the guidance is not mandatory, it means owners are not legally required to put the scheme into practice.

Covid passes, which have been trialled at pilot events across England, ask attendees to prove either that they’ve been double-vaccinated, have recently tested negative for Covid, or have natural immunity.

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