It’s not as bad as it was last spring, and, in London, not too different from the last couple of weeks. “As per Gov.uk guidance, ‘training and rehearsal without an audience (in theatres and concert halls)’ will be exempt from the rules regarding business closures, while auditoria will be able to open ‘for the purposes of film and TV filming’.” – WhatsOnStage (UK)
The Current State Of Lockdowns Around Europe
Rules vary quite a bit between the eight countries covered here. The Netherlands, which has seen a huge surge in cases, is quite strict; Sweden, which was much laxer than most of the continent, has gotten more strict but still less so than France or Germany (which is letting some performances continue without audiences). Spain’s measures vary widely by region, as will Italy’s starting this week, while Hungary is largely open for business but its borders are virtually sealed. – The Guardian
Grammy Awards Postponed For Six Weeks Due To Pandemic
The ceremony, hosted by Trevor Noah, had been scheduled for January 31. It will now take place on March 14, due to, as a statement from the Recording Academy puts it, “the deteriorating COVID situation in Los Angeles, with hospital services being overwhelmed, ICUs having reached capacity, and new guidance from state and local governments.” – Variety
As Australia’s Arts Festival Season Begins Amid The Pandemic, All Eyes Are On Sydney
“The [Sydney] Festival is poised to open on Wednesday and its administrators are on high alert. Though [New South Wales] Covid-19 case reports remain low, the list of exposure sites is growing by the day. … With Perth Festival following in early February and Adelaide Festival” — the largest arts event in the Southern Hemisphere — “a few weeks later, what happens in Sydney will be keenly observed.” – The Guardian