Staying connected during COVID-19 Latest update 6th January 2020 January Updates: GOV.UK National Lockdown Rules GOV.UK Coronavirus Guidance Government Guidelines: Performing Arts. Amendments: Addition of Tier 4: Stay at Home to Local restriction tiers, Managing performances (section 3). December Updates: Government Guidelines: Covid-19 Winter Plan Government Guidelines: For The Christmas Period Government Guidelines: Performing Arts. See in particular Performing arts activity for professionals and non-professionals including individuals and groups. Making Music Rehearsal Advice Making Music Update November Updates: Government Guidelines: Performing Arts Update 27 November 2020 COVID-19: suggested principles of safer singing. GOV.UK updated 20 November 2020. England enters a national Tier 4 lockdown on Thursday 5 November lasting until 2 December. DCMS have confirmed that no amateur music activity can take place during this time – so groups will not be able to meet and rehearse under any circumstances. In the meantime, you can: Meet online Plan for how to return safely to in person rehearsals when you are able to do so. We will keep this page updated as we find out more about what will happen after 2 December. October Updates: Restrictions from 4th November ABCD Covid Resources Updated 1 October 2020 Government Guidelines: Performing Arts Update 1 October 2020 Government Guidelines: Use of Community Facilities 1 October 2020. Section 3 is particularly relevant to amateur organisations. ACRE Update re Community Facilities 1 October 2020 ABCD Update 14 October 2020 ABCD Covid Guidelines ABCD Webinar Navigating government guidance with amateur groups September Updates: Government Update 4 September 2020 Government Guidance Update 9 September 2020 Further Guidance 9 September 2020 see section 3. Government FAQ's Based on New Guidance 14 September 2020. See 3.19 specifically. Making Music, New Coronavirus Rules 16 September 2020 ABCD Article, Update on Guidelines 17 September 2020 Making Music, Carry on Singing 17 September 2020 AOTOS webinar Singing, Aerosols and COVID – what does the PERFORM study tell us? 17 September 2020. Please also see related articles PERFORM study and Declan Costello's presentation Singing – where do we go from here? Lund University Article Colorado University Article Government Update 22 September 2020 Making Music: And Still We Play And Sing 22 September 2020 Government Guidelines: working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/performing-arts Update 24 September 2020 Government Guidelines: covid-19-guidance-for-the-safe-use-of-multi-purpose-community-facilities Update 24 September 2020 August Updates: NATS Live Broadcast re NFHS Study on 10th August 2020 Government Update 13th August 2020. Refer specifically to the introduction. Updated Guidance - Music Lawyers Perspective Expert reaction to a preprint from the PERFORM project looking at the COVID-19 risk associated with singing Performing Arts Study Article - Bristol University Comparing the Respirable Aerosol Concentrations and Particle Size Distributions Generated by Singing, Speaking and Breathing Study. Please remember this has not yet been peer reviewed. Making Music Update 20 August 2020 Government Update 20 August 2020. Refer specifically to the introduction for further updates which refers to other points. One Voice interview with Making Music CEO. Please note this is a Facebook link so you will need to be logged into Facebook to view. One Voice interview with Making Music CEO (YouTube) British Medical Journal Article British Medical Journal Risk Table Making Music Article Resources First Choirs Standing ABCD Article Virtual Studio Coming Soon!? July Updates: News Update 9th July 2020 Outside Performances News Update 9th July 2020 Further Updates 9th July 2020 UK Gov Update 9th July 2020 Performing Arts - Working Safely 9th July 2020. Please note in particular Section 4 Specific Points for Singing What’s On Stage Update 9th July 2020 Making Music Letter to Oliver Dowden re Professional and Amateur Musicians Making Music #BringBackMyChoir and #BringBackMyBand Video ABCD Resources for Musicians Sing Into The Funnel Please, Guardian Article Zoom Rehearsal Ideas Colorado State University Article NFHS Study Preliminary Results Round 2 Guardian Podcast - How Risky Is Singing Brass Bands England Releases Laboratory Research Results BHS Article regarding NFHS Study Preliminary Results Round 2 June and Earlier Updates: BHS Webinar - What We Can Do BHS Webinar - Where We Are and What Comes Next Making Music Resources ABCD Resources Kathleen Hansen Notes Compilation European Choral Association Notes Compilation NFHS Coalition Saving Our Nations Choirs and Choruses Making Music Giving Voice Making Music Submission to DCMS Prime Minister Statement to Parliament 23rd June 2020 Singing Network UK Statement Oliver Dowden Choirs Letter Interim Guidance for BHS (please note this is US based and not for UK) 5 Stage Road Map for Return of Performing Arts Guardian Article: Online choirs are thriving PLG Musical Services article on Best Zoom Practice Response from Scotland re Making Music Letter to UKGov Response from UKGov re Making Music Letter Department for Education: Guidance for full opening - schools. Please note in particular Section 3 Specific Points for Key Stages 4 and 5 Safer Singing During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: What We Know and What We Don't Please note, it is still important for individual groups to make their own risk assessment based on official government guidance. Remember BABS are here to help! Members of the Board are available to help you by visiting your zoom rehearsals or in any other way so please do contact us if we can be of assistance. In order to assist our members in trying online video conferencing, we have prepared a pack, which includes guidance on running meetings, running rehearsals, and other things to consider. Please click here to download the document - we hope it is of use to some of you! We are all looking forward to the day where we can sing together on the risers again. For more information on the current situation and regular updates please see the below links: NHS UK information on coronavirus Scottish Government on coronavirus Public Health Agency Northern Ireland Public Health Wales statement World Health Organisation (WHO) Very useful and reliable statistics from official government agencies around the world, including WHO UK Government Update on Places of Worship (some information on singing) Further information and support on what we can do at this time is constantly coming in. Click on the links below to get some more ideas on what other choirs are doing to stay connected, further information and research.