UK Music Backs Covid Status Certification Measures

23/04/2021: UK Music has joined leaders and high-profile figures from the UK’s arts and culture scene in support of Covid status certification measures to get the creative and cultural sectors open again.

In a letter to the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition, they sound their support for the Government’s ambition to return to full capacity audiences without restrictions as soon as possible, and recognise the role that Covid status certification could play in reducing social distancing.

UK Music’s Chief Executive Jamie Njoku-Goodwin has signed the letter along with other signatories including composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, actors Simon Russell Beale and Ralph Fiennes, Bond producer Barbara Broccoli, festival organiser Melvin Benn (organiser of Latitude, Leeds and Reading festivals), conductor Sir Simon Rattle, theatre director Sir Nicholas Hytner, and the playwright Sir Tom Stoppard.

The signatories understand that Covid status certification would involve either proof of vaccination, a negative Covid test or an antibody test to allow access to a venue.

They are clear that this approach must not rely only on proof of vaccination, must not be discriminatory, and also that it must only be a temporary measure, only used for as long as necessary and with clear exit criteria.

The letter concludes that; “If all of this holds true, then we are very much supportive of the continued exploration of this possibility to bring life back to normal as soon as possible”.

Read the letter here.

Full signatories:

Adjoa Andoh – Actor

Simon Russell Beale – Actor

Alex Beard – Chief Executive, Royal Opera House

Melvin Benn – Managing Director, Festival Republic

Barbara Broccoli – Film Producer

Sarah Connolly – Opera Singer

Marianne Elliott – Theatre and Film Director

Daniel Evans – Artistic Director, Chichester Festival Theatre

Ralph Fiennes – Actor

Nicholas Hytner – Director, Bridge Theatre