The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) has now updated its guidance with regard to a prescribed limit to social gatherings to groups of six in England.

It follows the announcement made last week by the Government, and enquiries made by Brass Bands England.

Initially the announcement was to have come with guidance for the 14th September from which it came into effect, but this was delayed until today (Thursday 17th September).

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Different rules may apply in Scotland ( https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-the-performing-arts-and-venues-sector/pages/people-involved-in-performing-producing-designing-and-supporting-events/)

Wales ( https://gov.wales/rehearsing-performing-and-taking-part-performing-arts-guidance-phased-return-html — Section 3.19)

and Northern Ireland ( http://artscouncil-ni.org/news/coronavirus-covid-19-advice)

Bands must note that local lockdown requirements take precedence over all the guidance related to performance activity.

Rule of Six

The DCMS has made it clear that activity can continue due to the new COVID-secure guidance for the performing arts sector in groups larger than six when in organised activity, which paves the way for a continued resumption of brass band activity when social distancing is managed.

However, it should be noted that whilst previous guidance for performing arts was advisory, the changes made to introduce the 'Rule of Six' is now set in law.

The update confirms that activity can continue following the previously published guidance.

This means all groups over six must have a risk assessment in place to manage the required social distancing measures.

Groups should refer to Risk Assessments 3&4 from BBE's Covid resources page https://www.bbe.org.uk/what-we-do/covid-19-advice-guidance-and-resources to inform the required actions.

No interaction

The DCMS has now confirmed the following which will be added to the performing arts guidance:

"Non-professional performing arts activity, including choirs, orchestras or drama groups, can continue to rehearse or perform together where this is planned activity in line with the performing arts guidance and if they can do so in a way that ensures that there is no interaction between groups of more than six at any time.

If an amateur group is not able to ensure that no mingling takes place between these sub-groups of no more than six (including when arriving at or leaving activity or in any breaks or socialising) then such non-professional activity should not take place."

Change

The following change is now required:

Organisations in England must now ensure that their risk assessments and procedures reflect the need to ensure mingling does not occur during rehearsal activity. This is particularly important for arrival (including arriving late), leaving (including leaving early) and breaks.

These changes will be incorporated into the published BBE advice and resources as soon as possible.

In order to assist bands with their decision-making processes, a decision tree can be downloaded from the Brass Bands England website COVID resources page, which specific risk assessments they should carry out to ensure the safest possible experience for their members.

These will be updated as soon as possible to reflect this update.

Risk assessment

In addition, BBE has produced risk assessment templates to assist bands in taking the correct steps to both ensure safety and to remain compliant with the current Government guidelines.

These can be accessed on the BBE website at www.bbe.org.uk/what-we-do/covid-19-advice-guidance-and-resources where there is also a full explanation on the use of the risk assessments. During the pandemic BBE has committed to making COVID-19 support and resources available to all brass bands.

Bands must note that local lockdown requirements take precedence over all the guidance related to performance activityBBE

Pay close attention

Explaining the new guidance, Dr Alex Parker of BBE told 4BR: "We strongly urge bands considering any return to activity to pay close attention to the contents of these risk assessment templates and to make sure that they use the correct one for their specific activity by referring to the accompanying decision tree and advice document.

Bands should remember that the COVID-19 Pandemic remains an extremely serious situation for us all and that very careful consideration should be given to the health and wellbeing of your members, their families, extended networks and to the general public in any decision-making process.

He added: "Being permitted by the Government to go back to a band rehearsal should never mean that it is compulsory for anyone, but we implore those that do return to make sure that the necessary precautions they do put in place are followed carefully for the foreseeable future."

Question time

Brass Bands England staff team will be available from 6.00-8.00pm on Thursday 17th September for a drop-in session to answer any questions about the COVID-19 guidance surrounding band activity.

Anyone wishing to speak to a member of the team should register for free on this link https://www.bbe.org.uk/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=95 A Zoom link for the session will be emailed on registration.

If anyone has questions on restarting activities, then please contact BBE on 01226 771015 or info@bbe.org.uk