Bristol Old Vic brings in mandatory mask wearing for December

From Monday 6 Dec, Bristol Old Vic will be introducing mandatory mask wearing for anyone visiting the theatre. This will apply to everyone unless under 12 years of age, medically exempt, or while eating and drinking.

While the new Government guidelines involving mandatory mask wearing do not currently apply to theatres, this decision by Bristol Old Vic follows feedback from audiences and staff, as well as being a response to the emergence of the new omicron variant.

Executive Director Charlotte Geeves said: “Over the Christmas period we’ll be welcoming thousands of families to Bristol Old Vic and we know for many people this will be the first time they come back to a theatre – to share a little festive magic with the family.

Our priority is to create the safest and most comfortable environment for people to visit, and we want to do all we can to ensure that we do not have to cancel performances and disappoint our audiences. We feel it is sensible to put these additional measures in place until such times as more data has been released about the new variant and its affects. We will reassess this as further data from Public Health England becomes available.”

This new policy is part of a raft of measures Bristol Old Vic already has in place to keep its audiences safe: 
•    From 6 Dec, mask wearing is mandatory for all visitors while seated in the auditorium or walking around the building (unless under 12 or medically exempt).
•    State-of-the-art ventilation systems completely replace the air every 4 minutes in the Theatre and the Studio.
•    Bristol Old Vic provides Guaranteed Socially Distanced shows, ensuring our most vulnerable audiences have the extra reassurance they need.
•    Our staff test regularly and wear masks at all times.
•    Additional cleaning of all public spaces is taking place.
•    No-questions-asked exchange or credit on tickets if audience members no longer feel comfortable attending.
We’re also recommending audiences respect others’ personal space, and do not attend if they have any symptoms of Covid-19.

Anyone who has already booked and does not feel comfortable with the new requirements will be offered a credit on their tickets.