The safety and comfort of our audiences is really important to us. COVID-19 measures will be in place for all of our events and performances to ensure the best possible experience for audiences, artists and staff. These measures are in line with advice and guidance from the UK Government, the NHS, and the World Health Organisation and will be adjusted as the guidance changes.
COVID-19 audience guidance
Opera North performances
- For events in summer 2021 tickets are strictly limited to a level which will allow social distancing both in the ‘auditorium’ area and at all points around the site, including for access. From October 2021 onwards we plan to perform to full capacity but we will continue to follow best practice. If you have questions or concerns please do not hesitate to get in touch.
- Audience members must only book as a group of up to two households (including support bubbles if eligible) or up to six people
- If the space available at a venue requires it, a one-way system will be set up for audience members to enter and leave the auditorium space and appropriate signage and staffing will be provided.
- Hand sanitising stations will be available on entry at all venues we tour to and all audience members are encouraged to use them.
- Everyone is expected to wear a face covering at all indoor events unless excused for reasons of age, health or disability. For outdoor events, audience members may be required to wear face coverings – please check the event details.
- Wherever possible tickets will be sold online and e-tickets will be used. Tickets will be checked on entry to the auditorium area without contact. Please note, tickets must be purchased in advance. To reduce contact points there will be no ticket sales on the door until October 2021.
- When booking, we will ask for your contact details, including a current telephone contact, which will be passed on to the test and trace scheme if required. We will need the contact details of everyone aged 16+ entering the venue and will send a request for this information closer to the date of the performance.
- All seating and any other surfaces will be cleaned and sanitised between performances.
- If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, or have been in direct contact with a diagnosed individual in the last 10 days and have been advised to self-isolate, you must not attend the event. Please contact the venue Box Office to arrange a ticket transfer, credit or refund.
- If a performance is cancelled for any reason, we will contact you and explain our refund options.
- Usually we welcome vocal expressions of appreciation, but we ask that you refrain from raising your voice or singing during or after performances to minimise the risk of transmission of the virus.
Find out more from the venues we tour to:
Howard Assembly Room
We can’t wait to welcome you back to Howard Assembly Room. You can expect a safe and secure experience when you visit. Measures below will be adjusted in line with government guidance as it changes. If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact our Box Office team.
- There will be a QR code check in for those who are using the NHS Test and Trace app.
- Tickets are limited to a maximum of 6 people per booking.
- Hand sanitising stations will be available and all audience members encouraged to use them.
- Audience members will be required to wear face coverings inside the building unless exempt for reasons of age, health or disability.
- There will be a marked one-way system.
- Please follow any social distancing guidance in place.
- Wherever possible tickets will be sold online and e-tickets will be used. Tickets will be checked on arrival. Please note, tickets MUST be purchased in advance, there will be no ticket sales on the day to reduce contact points. When booking, we will ask for your contact details including your mobile number which may be passed on to the test and trace scheme if required.
- If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, or have been in direct contact with a diagnosed individual in the last 14 days and have been advised to self-isolate, you must not attend the event. If you are unable to attend due to illness, please contact us via boxoffice@operanorth.co.uk to arrange a credit or refund.
- If the performance is cancelled for any reason we will contact you to let you know.
- Usually we welcome vocal expressions of appreciation, but we ask that you refrain from raising your voice or singing during or after performances to minimise the risk of transmission of the virus.
- For more information, please read our COVID-19 Guidance Frequently Asked Questions below.
FAQs
How will I know which entrance/exits are being used and is it the same for accessible entrance/exit?
If you need to use a particular entrance/exit, the information will be included with your ticket or in your pre-show email. At the end of performances indoors, you may need to wait until a member of the Front of House team directs you to an exit to maintain social distancing. If you are unsure about entrance/exit, ask a member of staff on arrival who will be able to help.
How will queues be minimised? Why have I been allocated a time slot?
The number of people moving through a venue will be managed to minimise queues and enable appropriate distancing as required. Timed entry may be used to minimise queues.
Why have I been allocated a time slot? What happens if I miss my time slot?
Some venues may operate timed entry to manage the number of people arriving at any one time. Please keep to your time slot if possible. If you miss it, you may need to wait until an appropriate time to enter.
What is being done to ensure the venue is clean?
All venues have an enhanced cleaning regime in place, all seating and any other surfaces will be cleaned and sanitised between performances.
How many people will be in the venue at one time?
Where social distancing is required, in the auditorium audience numbers are significantly reduced. Additional staff will be working, wearing masks and/or visors. Total numbers will vary depending on the performance. For more information, please contact the box office via email boxoffice@operanorth.co.uk or call 0113 223 3600.
Who should I contact if I have symptoms of COVID-19 after attending a performance?
If you start to develop symptoms of COVID-19, you should self-isolate and get tested as quickly as possible. If you then test positive, NHS Test and Trace will ask you where you have been recently and who you have seen. They will then get in touch with anyone you may have been in close contact with to advise them on what to do next.
Will I be contacted if someone tests positive after attending the event?
If one of your fellow audience members tests positive for COVID-19 following a performance, you may receive a call from NHS Test and Trace, asking you to get tested or self-isolate. We ask that you follow any advice they may give you.
Can I get a refund if I’m asked to isolate or if I fail a temperature check on arrival at the venue?
If you are instructed to self-isolate over the period of a booked performance, or if your temperature is outside the normal range on arrival for the performance, please contact the venue Box Office to arrange a ticket transfer, credit or refund. For tickets booked through Opera North, we can offer a ticket exchange to a different performance, a credit on your account (valid for 24 months) or a refund on your tickets if:
- you feel unsure about attending a performance due to COVID-19
- you’ve been instructed to self-isolate over the period of a booked performance
- you have symptoms of COVID-19 or a high temperature on the day of the performance
Send your tickets back by email to boxoffice@operanorth.co.uk, and if you have symptoms on the day, let us know within 24 hours.
What do I do if I am unable to book online or receive e-tickets via email?
Contact the relevant venue Box Office or call 0113 223 3600 (Mon-Fri 10am to 6pm or 12pm to 8pm on evening performance dates) and we will assist you.
Will I be able to sit with my friends?
For Opera North performances in Spring 2021, if your friends are in your household or bubble, you can sit together. Seating is by household or bubble only. For events in the Howard Assembly Room, you can sit with your friends.
My friend can no longer attend, can I use their ticket?
For Opera North performances in Spring 2021, if you are in the same household or bubble as everyone else in your friend’s booking, then yes. Please get in touch with the Box Office so they can transfer the ticket to your account as we will need your contact details for NHS Test and Trace. If you are not in the same household or bubble, contact the venue to check: many events are sold out so there may not be a socially isolated seat available for you. For Howard Assembly Room events, you can use your friend’s ticket. You will need to use the QR code check in at the venue or give your contact details for NHS Test and Trace on arrival.
Will I still be able to access bar/cafe spaces/purchase ice cream?
Some venues may offer a pre-ordering in-seat service. If this information is not available email boxoffice@operanorth.co.uk or call 0113 223 3600 for this information.
Will I be able to purchase a programme?
To limit contact and queuing, programmes will not be available but details about the performance will be available online.
Will I be able to use the toilet? How regularly are they cleaned?
Where toilet facilities are available, please respect social distancing and use hand sanitiser provided on entry/exit. Please check the venue information in the link above, if this information is not available email boxoffice@operanorth.co.uk or call 0113 223 3600 for this information.
Will I be able to use the cloakroom?
To limit contact and queuing, no cloakroom will be available. Please check the venue information in the link above, if this information is not available email boxoffice@operanorth.co.uk or call 0113 223 3600 for this information.
Why are there so few tickets available?
Where social distancing is required, seating capacities will be significantly reduced. We will do our utmost to offer a range of seat configurations for different household sizes while maximising the total number of seats available. We are sorry if you’re not able to purchase the seats you are looking for.
We are doing our best to reflect the range of audience demand and we appreciate your patience and understanding while we monitor and review in line with the regulations and approval processes.
Please contact the relevant Box Office for support or to join a waiting list. You can also contact boxoffice@operanorth.co.uk/0113 223 3600 for further information.
We welcome your feedback to feedback@operanorth.co.uk.
Why are there so few single tickets available?
We will ensure we provide single ticket options at all of our performances wherever possible by responding to audience demand for single tickets balanced against the seating configuration restraints we encounter with socially-distanced auditoriums. We apologise if single tickets sell out faster than other bubble sizes. We will continue to review this. Please contact the relevant Box Office if you’re unable to find a seat you need. We thank you for your patience and welcome your feedback to feedback@operanorth.co.uk.
Get in touch
If you have any further queries or concerns don’t hesitate to contact our Box Office team:
Email: boxoffice@operanorth.co.uk
Phone: 0113 2233600
Information last updated 15 June 2021.
