There is no freedom without responsibility

  • Post date Monday 5 July, 2021
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Restrictions might be about to go away, but Covid has not

We published the Roadmap out of Lockdown in March 2021 at which time we stated that the capacity of events will be limited until we have evidence it is safe for us to lift them. 

The announcement of the lifting of most remaining Covid-19 restrictions in England to go ahead on 19 July should be a time for celebration. It has been a difficult time to be working in the arts. Yet sadly, now is not the time to be throwing our masks in the air, graduation cap style. We have not graduated from Coronavirus, government scientific advisers warn that lifting all restrictions would be like building new “variant factories”.

This is why to protect all of our studio holders, staff and visitors, wearing of masks in public areas will still be required and while we look forward to welcoming more of you back to our venues, we will continue to assess risk factors and implement social distancing measures on a case-by-case basis.

Thanks to our fantastic NHS, many of our staff have now had two Covid-19 vaccines. But while the efficacy of the two COVID-19 vaccines has been established, responses are not well-defined in all patients. For example, as someone with systemic autoimmune conditions, I have a 2-to 3-fold higher risk for COVID-19 complications.

So to protect me, others like me and those who have not been vaccinated, stay safe by taking some simple precautions, such as wearing a mask, keeping rooms well ventilated, be mindful of others need for space, cleaning your hands, and coughing into a bent elbow or tissue. By continuing to support one another, we can get through the next challenges that face us.  

#ProtectOthers #WearAMask #BeKind

Kathryn Chiswell Jones, Company Manager at Artspace Lifespace

If you are concerned about holding an upcoming event that is open to the public without restrictions in place, then please speak to one of our project coordinators or Island Centre or Company Manager for help developing your risk assessment.

For more guidance on keeping you and others safe, we recommend visiting the World Health Organisation website.

Black and white images of People wearing Masks. Above the image is the hashtag ProtectOthers, underneath the image is the Hashtag WearAMask
Three Pink Icons sit on top of one another alongside the text Hand, Face, Space. Underneath is the wording + Fresh Air and a turquoise gust of fresh air.