Scottish Government

Updates & Guidance

We are currently in Phase 3 of the Scottish Government’s Route Map out of lockdown. The Scottish Government has introduced as of Monday 2 November 2020 a 5-level Protection Levels Framework across the country.

The Protection Levels across Scotland will be updated weekly by the Scottish Government. You can check the current level of your local area here.

Theatre Re-opening in Levels 0 and 1

• Under the Protection Levels Framework theatre venues are only allowed to open in Levels 0 and 1
• An upper attendance capacity has been set at 100 in Level 1, and 250 in Level 0. We understand that this upper capacity has been set to mitigate the public health risk of large numbers of people gathering together, travelling to venues and using public transport and local infrastructure
• The Scottish Government confirmed that re-opening in Level 1 (as with all the Scottish regulations determining when sectors can re-open) is not a mandatory requirement.The decision of whether or not to open is at the discretion of the venue and will not omit you from making use of the Job Retention Scheme

Scottish Government Guidance

• Performing Arts and Venues sector guidance can be found here. Last updated 10 November 2020
• Events sector guidance can be found here. Last updated 9 November 2020

UK Government

Updates & Guidance

Furlough Extension

The UK Government has confirmed that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (furlough) is to be extended until March 2021 across the whole of the UK. The CJRS scheme will be provided at the level originally announced at the start of lockdown., i.e: 80% of wages for the time that employees are unable to work.

In this scenario venues in Level 1 of the Scottish Government’s Protection Levels Framework will still be able to claim the CJRS for hours when their staff are not working, whether they open or not.

SEISS Extension

The UK Government has confirmed that in line with the extension of furlough, the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme has also been extended. The extension will last for 6 months, from November 2020 to April 2021. Grants will be paid in 2 lump sum instalments each covering a 3 month period.

For the period from 1 November 2020 until 31 January 2021 the Government will provide a taxable grant calculated at 80% of 3 months average monthly trading profits, paid out in a single instalment and capped at £7,500 in total. This is an increase from the previously announced amount of 55%.

The online service for the next grant will be available from 30 November 2020. HMRC will provide full details about claiming and applications in guidance on GOV.UK in due course.

FST Updates

Listening & Responding

FST recognises the severity of the challenge that re-opening within current legislation presents for our venue, company and individual members.

We are working hard to make the case for the theatre industry to be recognised for its high standards of customer care and health and safety; for the need for venue-specific decisions about capacities; and for additional financial support to make the creation and presentation of work possible if our sector is to survive and thrive.

FST continues to liaise with the Scottish Government and Creative Scotland to ensure the diverse needs of our sector are represented and heard. We will continue to update the membership via email, our website and social media as soon as we can ensure that information is accurate.

If you have any questions or enquiries during this time, regarding FST in general or more specifically concerning a particular issue then please email us at hello@scottishtheare.org

Below you can find further news, resources and advice relating to COVID-19.