The Brit Awards will go ahead with a live audience next month, as part of the government’s research into how live events might work after the pandemic.
The ceremony will take place at London’s O2 Arena on 11 May and will be fronted by comedian Jack Whitehall.
The 4,000-strong audience won’t need to wear masks or be socially distanced, but will need a negative Covid test.
It’s the latest addition to the Events Research Programme, which examines how venues and events can reopen safely.
The scheme also includes a Liverpool nightclub that will host 3,000 people per night on 30 April and 1 May, and a 5,000-capacity gig in the city on 2 May.
It also includes sporting spectacles like the FA Cup final, which will have 21,000 spectators four days after the Brits, on 15 May.
How will the Brit Awards work?
Most tickets – 2,500 of the 4,000 – will be given to key workers from London “to thank them for their remarkable hard work and selfless commitment”. The capital’s key workers can apply for free tickets via the Brit Awards website from Thursday.
The other 1,500 places will go to the nominated artists, their managers and teams plus other members of the music industry and sponsors.
All audience members will be asked to present proof of a recent negative lateral flow test to enter the venue. Once inside, it will be as “normal” as possible, including serving food and alcohol.
Attendees will also be asked to take a test after the ceremony to help gather further evidence on the safety of indoor settings, reduced social distancing and the absence of face coverings.
Audience members will also have to provide contact details for NHS Test and Trace so everyone can be traced in the event of an audience member receiving a positive test after the event.
Why will the audience be smaller?
The O2 has a capacity of roughly 20,000, but only 4,000 people will be at the Brits.
However, this is not because of social distancing, but is due to some sections of the arena being closed off for the event.
The ground floor will largely be used for staging, and will also be where the nominees and their guests sit during the ceremony.
As a result, the key workers and their guests will be on level one of the arena. The higher level will be largely closed off.