The safety and comfort of our audiences is really important to us. Our COVID-19 measures are 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 and we will continue to review this regularly.
COVID-19 audience guidance
We are performing to full capacity and we will continue to follow best practice. If you have questions or concerns please do not hesitate to get in touch with our Box Office.
- Mask-wearing is currently mandatory in all venues except for those who are exempt or aged under 11 or while eating or drinking. For all other events, everyone is encouraged to wear a face covering unless excused for reasons of age, health or disability.
- If you’re attending an event at the Howard Assembly Room and you’re aged 18+, you will need to bring evidence of either a negative lateral flow test taken that day or an NHS Covid Pass/vaccine passport with at least two vaccinations. Find out more
- 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.
- For outdoor standing events, please maintain a safe distance from other audience members.
- Hand sanitising stations will be available on entry at all venues we tour to and all audience members are encouraged to use them.
- Tickets will be checked on entry to the auditorium area without contact. There will be a QR code check in for those who would like to use the NHS Test and Trace app.
- 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.
- 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
If you’re attending an event at the Howard Assembly Room and you’re aged 18+, you will need to bring evidence of either a negative lateral flow test taken that day or an NHS Covid Pass/vaccine passport with at least two vaccinations.
Please arrive as early as possible to allow enough time for random checks upon entry.
You can demonstrate a negative lateral flow test result taken on the day of the performance by:
- Using your COVID-19 app
- Showing a photograph of your test
- Showing NHS email or text confirmation
- Showing a physical negative test
If you’ve had COVID-19 in the last 90 days and it’s affecting your test results, you can show proof of your positive PCR test and a valid COVID passport (18+).
You can get an NHS COVID Pass digitally through the NHS App or the online NHS COVID Pass service. If you cannot apply digitally, you can ask for an NHS COVID Pass letter to be sent to you by post.
If you cannot show the correct proof you won’t be permitted to attend the event. In this instance, please contact your original point of purchase for more details. If you purchased your tickets through us, contact us no later than the performance start and we will provide a refund or a credit
FAQs
I’m feeling nervous about a full capacity performance. Can you help?
If you feel uncomfortable about booking and are unsure about where best to sit, please contact our Box Office who will be happy to help find suitable seats. If you are at a performance and feel uncomfortable, please talk to a member of the Front of House team who may be able to help.
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 support 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?
The number of people moving through a venue may be managed to minimise queues and support social distancing as required. Timed entry may be used to minimise queues. If so and you miss your time slot, 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?
We are performing to full capacity. 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, 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 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.
Will I be able to access bar/cafe spaces/purchase ice cream?
Yes. Please note that some venues are now cashless, including Leeds Grand Theatre. Some venues may offer a pre-ordering in-seat service. Pre-order cold drinks at Leeds Grand Theatre from 24 hours before the start of a performance here. Ordering ends 5 minutes before the start of the performance. If you need more information please email boxoffice@operanorth.co.uk or call 0113 223 3600.
Will I be able to purchase a programme?
Yes. Please note that some venues are now cashless, including Leeds Grand Theatre.
Will I be able to use the cloakroom?
Please avoid bringing large bags to venues if possible. A cloakroom is available at Leeds Grand Theatre with a charge of £1 per item. Large bags will need to be opened for inspection. For other venues please check the venue information in the links above. If this information is not available email boxoffice@operanorth.co.uk or call 0113 223 3600.
Will the venue be well ventilated?
Howard Assembly Room
The Howard Assembly Room is supplied with fresh external air that is filtered before being introduced to the auditorium and front of house areas. The air is drawn out through convection and extracted through a separate air handling system before being discharged to the external atmosphere. There is no recirculation of air at all and the fresh air brought in is monitored for CO2.
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 14 December 2021.
