MUSIC venues in Scotland are expected to reopen as of 14th September, as long as social distancing measures are in place and crowd numbers are limited.

The news arrives after Nicola Sturgeon announced a series of changes to Phase Three lockdown restrictions in Scotland.

Meanwhile, outdoor events have been given the green light to return in a matter of days as of Monday 24th August, with new hygiene and social distancing.  It is expected that audiences will have to remain seated at outdoor events over the next few weeks, unless there are large amounts of open space available.

Outdoor standing events and music venues will then hopefully return a couple of weeks later, with 14th September pencilled in under the latest timetable.

Theatres and concert halls have also been given the go-ahead to allow rehearsals and other preparations to get underway from Monday ahead of a proposed public reopening date on 14th September.

New potential dates have also been revealed for the likes of gyms, swimming pool, sports stadiums, bingo halls, amusement arcades, snooker and pool halls, driving lessons and bowling alleys with hygiene and social distancing measures in place.

The First Minister said today: “On balance, taking account of the different harms that COVID and the restrictions imposed to tackle it are inflicting on the country, we have decided that the re-openings pencilled in for the 24 August can proceed.

“I must stress though that such re-opening should only happen when the appropriate guidance covering that activity or setting has been implemented. We will also monitor the impact carefully and, as with everything else, we will not hesitate to reimpose restrictions should that prove necessary.”

“The 24 August changes include some outdoor live events – with physical distancing, enhanced hygiene and restricted numbers. We hope that further changes will be possible from 14 September, in line with what is currently set out in the route map.