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Reading And Leeds Festival Will 'Almost Certainly' Require Covid Vaccine Passport

Reading And Leeds Festival Will 'Almost Certainly' Require Covid Vaccine Passport

The organiser says it's likely the measure will be introduced

Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers

Reading and Leeds Festival will 'almost certainly' require people to have Covid passport, organiser Melvin Benn has said.

The iconic rock festivals are set to go ahead on the weekend of 27 August, with the likes of Liam Gallagher and Stormzy set to perform.

However, Benn has now said that, while it's extremely difficult to predict what the country will look like in the next few weeks and months, it's likely punters will likely have to prove they have been vaccinated or that they're Covid-free.

He told the BBC today (30 March): "I'm taking the prime minister at his word that from June the legal restrictions will be off and as he and the culture secretary said: 'We are looking forward to a summer of fun'.

"If it is cancelled everyone gets a refund - that's pretty normal - but I'm certainly anticipating it going ahead."

LADbible has contacted organisers Festival Republic for further comment.

PA

This comes a month after it was announced that the twin festival would be going ahead this summer.

Taking to Twitter, the organisers wrote: "Reading and Leeds 2021 Following the government's recent announcement, we can't wait to get back to the fields this summer LET'S GO #RandL21."

Fans were quick to share their delight with one replying: "Holy f***ing s*** this is actually happening."

Another would-be festival-goer wrote: "SOME NORMALITY!! I CAN'T F***ING WAIT FOR SOME NORMALITY!!"

Others were less happy, with one Twitter user commenting: "Let's go spreading Covid and putting us back in another lockdown, irresponsible if you ask me."

It followed the UK government's announcement over its 'roadmap' out of lockdown.

The government's plan to lift limits on gatherings by 21 June was announced on Monday 22 February.

Step One began from 8 March, when schools opened and people were able to meet outdoors recreationally with one person from another household.

From this Monday (29 March), six people or two households can meet outdoors and outdoor sport returned.

Step Two will commence from 12 April at the earliest, at which point outdoor hospitality, gyms, libraries, all retail and outdoor attractions can reopen.

Step Three will begin no earlier than 17 May and will allow groups of up to 30 to meet outdoors, cinemas to reopen and organised indoor sport to recommence.

Step Four, which will start no earlier than 21 June, will see the removal of legal limits on social contact.

This means nightclubs will be allowed to open their doors once again and large events will be able to go ahead.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: covid, Leeds, Entertainment, Music, Coronavirus, UK Entertainment, Covid-19