Northern Ireland

Communities minister hopes concerts and outdoor performances can re-start this summer

It remains unclear when live music can return in Northern Ireland
It remains unclear when live music can return in Northern Ireland It remains unclear when live music can return in Northern Ireland

COMMUNITIES minister Deirdre Hargey says she hopes concerts and outdoor performances can re-start in Northern Ireland this summer.

A Culture Recovery Taskforce has been set up to recommend measures for entertainment venues to reopen and performances to resume amid the easing of coronavirus restrictions.

It comes as some plays, live music, performances and exhibitions were allowed to re-start in England, Wales and Scotland on Monday.

However, in Northern Ireland, theatres have been given an indicative date of June 21 to reopen. But it remains unclear if live music can return on that date also.

The Culture Recovery Taskforce is made up of 25 people who run festivals, music, theatre and arts venues and organisations.

It will consider how venues in the north can open safely to audiences from June 21, including examining the measures put in place for live performances in England.

"We wanted to give that date so that it's something to work towards," Ms Hargey told BBC NI.

"What I would like to see the task force do is how then we can open on 21 June safely.

"There are a number of pilots that are taking place in England, we're obviously getting information on that via the SAGE committee which the health minister and the chief medical officer sit on.

"We'll be monitoring those closely, and I want all of that to go through this taskforce.

"But also to look at the local knowledge and expertise here, people who run events, people who organise safety around key events in planning for coming into the summer season.

"But doing that in a safe way that keeps the opening long-term and sustainable."

She said she also wants to see live music resume "as quickly and as safely as possible".

"I want to get venues a bit of normality back," she added.