Nightclubs to open in England on 19th July with limited restrictions

England’s nightclubs will reportedly be allowed to reopen on 19th July with limited requirements and some restrictions for clubbers. 

According to a government source – reported first by the Evening Standard – Michael Gove, the Cabinet minister, leading a review on COVID-19 vaccination passports, believes it would be “too much hassle” for the public and businesses if health checks are needed before entry into venues.

The source also said: “We are increasingly confident that people are protected, and the plan is to reopen everything, with no exceptions.”

The government will decide on 12th July, a week before all coronavirus restrictions are scheduled to be lifted in England. With COVID-19 cases beginning to spike in once again the UK – thanks to the newly-named ‘Delta’ variant, it’s reassuring to hear the Prime Minister still feels “increasingly confident” that the government will lift restrictions on 19th July.

Less than a week ago, the government released its Event Research Programme (ERP) findings, including data gathered from several COVID-19 pilot events. Many still feel that this may have been an earlier reality and have suffered the frustration of watching other large scale events proceed whilst nightlife remains closed – like the European Championships, Wimbledon and Ascot. 

The report found that, from the 58,000 combined attendants of these events, only 28 positive COVID-19 cases were recorded. These included two indoor club events in Liverpool with a combined crowd of 6,000 people, a marquee concert, the BRIT Awards, and the FA Cup Final.

The report wasn’t without worrying statistics, raising concerns due to the low number of returned PCR tests from attendees after the events. Last month event organisers reported that less than half of attendees at the Liverpool events returned a PCR test before and after the show as recommended. 

The report shows an evident lack of public confidence or priority on PCR tests. Overall, just 15% of attendees returned PCR tests after all events in the ERP. Audience members were required to present a negative result from a lateral flow test to gain entry, but these are less accurate than PCRs.