Article Source: Scottish Government
Last Updated: 20 July 2020 14:16
Live concerts, comedy nights, theatre productions and local bingo events are among the experiences organisers have been ‘reimagining’ right across Scotland.
The decision follows public health advice that considers the transmission risk associated with drive-in live events, where the audience remains in their parked cars, is sufficiently low to allow them to take place. Appropriate guidance and mitigations must be followed.
Other live outdoor events are not due to commence before 31 July. Drive-in cinemas were permitted to resume screenings, following associated safety guidance, last week.
Find a Drive In Event near you »
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “The ideas coming forward from our events and festivals sector are both a sensible way to deliver live events and demonstrate that innovation thrives in adversity.
“The risk of COVID-19 spreading in environments such as live events where a number of people are gathered together means, sadly, the format as we know it may have to adapt for some time to come.
“Drive-in live events signal that innovative approaches can provide a first step towards recovery and can be the needed lifeline for our events sector during this time.
“I would encourage our local communities and events sector to work together to be creative and consider the possibilities of drive-in live events – from music concerts and local bingo nights, to family theatre and a reimagining of some of our most loved annual live events.”
Peter Duthie, Chair of the Event Industry Advisory Group and CEO of the SEC in Glasgow, said: “This is good news and a welcome first step in getting Scotland's events sector moving again. The events industry has been hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and is likely to be one of the last industries to come out of lockdown.
“Events contribute in the region of £6 billion to the Scottish economy and also make a vital contribution to the nation’s wellbeing. To ensure they continue to do so, the Event Industry Advisory Group is working closely with the Scottish Government to help build a speedy and sustainable long-term recovery plan for the sector as whole.”
Organisers must ensure that any live performers on stage adhere to relevant guidance, including evidence on singing and use of musical instruments, and adhere to physical distancing and hygiene measures.
Other mitigating measures will include limiting attendance to one extended household per car, calculating the capacity to allow two-metre distancing to be maintained for both staff and customers, customers remaining in their vehicle at all times (other than to safely access toilets and food/merchandise areas). Customer management procedures should be in place ensure this takes place.
Organisers should keep a record of staff and customer contact details to help with contact tracing in the event someone linked to the event contracts COVID-19.
The organisers of drive-in events will need to consider all other relevant licensing requirements.
Find a Drive In Event near you »
Tinderbox and Glasgow roaster Matthew Algie have teamed up with Beatson Cancer Charity for the second year running – and this time, the menu’s three times bigger.
READ MOREChildren attending Dobbies Little Seedlings Club will get the chance to travel back hundreds of millions of years to learn about prehistoric plants and talk about their favourite dinosaurs!
READ MOREElements, the celebrated fine-dining restaurant in Bearsden, has announced the highly anticipated return of its signature 4/4/4 cocktail lunch offer, now featuring a brand-new selection of cocktails.
READ MOREHorne will play the music industry executive who kicked off the race to No 1. between the two bands.
READ MOREPubLife, a UK-wide summer celebration of the '90s will take place in over 500 pubs, including 7 in Scotland.
READ MOREThis summer, as school holidays get underway, families are invited to enjoy a day out at Scone Palace with their Kids Go Free promotion.
READ MOREThe inaugural Scone Palace International Horse Trials will take place from 21st–24th August 2025 in the stunning grounds of Scone Palace and Perth Racecourse.
READ MOREThe state-of-the-art bowling and activity venue brings ten-pin & duck pin bowling, tech darts, ice-free curling, arcades and more to Glasgow's Silverburn!
READ MOREScotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow on Sunday 5th October and they want everyone to 'Be Your Greatest'.
READ MOREBeloved Glasgow indie House Party is back with a new model and a Pride pop-up at The Social Hub from 14–20 July!
READ MOREWith doors set to reopen this August, the Citizens Theatre has announced its programme from January - June 2026 as part of its reopening year of productions.
READ MOREBTS Army: Forever We Are Young, a brand-new documentary celebrating the fans that helped catapult 21st century pop icons BTS into global stardom comes to Vue.
READ MOREFamily favourites and animated adventures are heading to the big screen this summer holiday at Vue venues across Scotland.
READ MORECUPP, the cult-favourite boba tea brand known for its viral drinks and dedicated following, is opening an all-new Boba Café Kiosk in Silverburn.
READ MOREScotland’s multi-venue festival for music discovery, is back for 2025 with a first wave of 30+ unmissable artists including Manchester’s Pale Waves.
READ MOREThe limited-time experience is the first-of-its-kind at Topgolf Glasgow in collaboration with Marvel Studios!
READ MOREScotland’s national music prize – the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award – has opened submissions for 2025’s £20,000 prize.
READ MOREScotland's first openly gay professional footballer is set to headline Pride events at The Social Hub Glasgow.
READ MOREArtwork to celebrate the centre's 20th anniversary was officially unveiled at Glasgow Fort last week.
READ MOREGlaschu, one of Glasgow's most established fine dining restaurants, will join forces once again with acclaimed chef, Brian Maule for two nights in August.
READ MORECineworld has today announced £1 Family Films, running every week from July 25, so that families can be more childish together all summer long.
READ MOREThis summer, gather the whole family and head to Dobbies Garden Centres for a day of fun-filled activities that will keep costs down.
READ MOREThis Sunday sees the arrival of a brand-new community event for 2025: The Big Sunday on Kelvin Way!
READ MOREThree powerful performances by internationally acclaimed artists Dan Daw, Cherish Menzo and collective MEXA are revealed, in anticipation of full festival announcement on Tuesday 29th July.
READ MOREFirst Bus offers free travel to all current serving members, veterans and cadets for Armed Forces Day celebrations across its network.
READ MORESummerfest, the FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores, is back on the 5th and 6th of July with lots of things to see and do!
READ MORETopgolf Glasgow is dialling up the fun with a fresh range of value offers launching throughout the summer, helping players maximise their experience by giving them more for less!
READ MOREAspiring young buskers are invited to step into the spotlight and perform to hundreds of shoppers this summer in a safe and welcoming indoor space.
READ MOREThe Citizens Theatre has revealed the full cast for Small Acts of Love, the first production to be performed on the theatre's home stage in more than seven years when it reopens later this year.
READ MOREEl Perro Negro is bringing back its cult-favourite Breakfast Club menu. And this time, it's popping up once a month at the award-winning Woodlands Road restaurant - starting 29th June!
READ MORE