BRITS WILL HAVE
A LIVE AUDIENCE

Given the restrictions still in place in the U.K., we’ve been wondering how the BRIT Awards ceremonies might look this year. Now we know—the BRITs are taking part in the government’s Events Research Programme, which means 4,000 people can attend the 5/11 show at the O2 Arena.

This will be the first major indoor music event in the U.K. to welcome back a live audience. As such, it will be subject to enhanced testing approaches to determine how events can be mounted without the need for social distancing. More than half the tickets will go to London-area essential workers (and a guest of their choosing), who will be able to enter a ballot to gain free entry, in recognition of their efforts during the pandemic.

Geoff Taylor, Chief Executive of the BPI and BRIT Awards, said he hopes the show will “provide a path for the return of live music that fans and artists have so sorely missed" and added, "We’re buzzing about the show and working closely with government, the O2 and our partners to ensure all safety measures and guidelines are adhered to.”

Audience members will not have to socially distance or wear face coverings in the arena, but they are required to follow existing government guidance when travelling to the venue and adhere to rules set out by event organizers. Attendees must also have proof of a negative lateral-flow test result to enter and will be asked to take a test after the event to gather further evidence on the safety of indoor settings, reduced social distancing and the removal of non-pharmaceutical interventions like face coverings. In addition, they will have to provide contact details for NHS Test and Trace to ensure everyone can be traced in the event of an audience member's receiving a positive test after the event.