This is when Scotland's theatres, cinemas, concert halls and comedy clubs can reopen

Live events have been given the go-ahead to return in Scotland from the middle of next month.

A reopening date of May 17 has been confirmed for cinemas, theatres, concert halls, music venues and comedy clubs.

The date was confirmed as museums, galleries and other indoor attractions were given the green light to reopen from Monday, April 26.

Cultural venues will be able to welcome back audiences of up to 100 from mid-May, as long as social distancing can be accommodated.

Outdoor events and festivals for up to 500 people will also be allowed from that date.

Under Scotland’s new route map out of lockdown, those numbers will be increased to 200 for indoor venues and 1,000 for outdoor events in early June.

Event organisers can also plan ahead for events of up to 400 indoors and 2,000 outdoors from the end of June.

The Festival Theatre in Edinburgh is due to reopen in the summer.

However, official industry guidance states that higher capacities for certain events can be agreed through negotiation with the Scottish Government and local authorities.

Hospitality businesses have been given the green light to reopen from Monday with one-metre social distancing in place.

However, it is not yet known whether event organisers will be able to do the same when venues reopen.

Two of the biggest outdoor events due to be held in Glasgow this week – the World Pipe Band Championships and the Summer Nights at Kelvingrove concerts series – have been called off amid the ongoing uncertainty.

The King's Theatre in Edinburgh.

The latest official guidance states: “From May 17, some outdoor and indoor events will be able to take place (all conditional on supportive data).

"In addition, there will be further work to develop a process and guidance for events with proposed numbers above the standard limits.

"Specific restrictions on capacities are to be discussed and agreed in the coming weeks in consultation with the events industry.”Paul Bush director of events at government agency VisitScotland, said: “The confirmation of the easing of restrictions on 26 April is welcome news.

"Whilst there’s still work to be done over the forthcoming weeks to expand on the event guidance, working with the Scottish Government and the Event Industry Advisory Group, the move to Level 3 is another positive step in the right direction for the safe return of further events in the forthcoming weeks and months ahead.”

Capers in Cannich, a new festival in the Highlands, is expected to be one of the first major outdoor events to go ahead at the end May.

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