Entry Requirement FAQs

No, you do not need to be vaccinated to attend the theatre, although from December 2021 we will be asking all members of your party aged 18 or over to demonstrate their COVID-19 status to gain entry. This can be done in a number of ways, including providing proof of a negative covid test, natural immunity or proof of full vaccination. Please visit our Covid Measure page for full details.

We cannot wait to welcome you to the Northcott Theatre, but need to make sure that you, our staff and the rest of the audience are safe. Therefore, from December 2021, as well as bringing your tickets, we’re asking all members of your party over the age of 18 to demonstrate their COVID-19 status  in ONE of the following ways to gain entry:

NEGATIVE COVID TEST RESULT WITHIN 48 HOURS PRIOR TO ATTENDANCE:

• COVID Pass via NHS app or NHS website
• NHS-Self Report Tool confirmation email/text within last 48 hours

OR

FULL VACCINATION:

• COVID Pass via NHS app or NHS website
• Letter via NHS website or call 119 within last 14 days
• Vaccine Card and Photo ID

OR

NATURAL IMMUNITY:

• COVID Pass via NHS app or NHS website
• Letter via NHS website or call 119 within last 14 days

For information please visit our COVID MEASURES page for the latest details.

You must stay at home if you feel unwell or need to self-isolate. Other party members may still attend unless they are also required to self-isolate or show any symptoms.

Please rest assured that in these circumstances we can offer just you, or your whole party, a free exchange to a later performance of the same show, subject to availability. Alternatively, we can issue you with a credit voucher to the value of your original booking, redeemable against future shows at the Northcott Theatre or, specifically where COVID prevents you being able to attend, we can issue a refund.

To exchange your tickets please email [email protected]. If your show is within the next two days, we will prioritise your request.

You can access rapid Lateral Flow tests in three ways:

• Order your test to be sent to your home address via the gov.uk website;
• Pick up a lateral flow test from your local chemist, using the NHS website to find your nearest pick-up point; or
• Take an assisted LFD test at your local community testing centre, using the NHS website to find your nearest location.

Please note the following:

• The test needs to be taken within 48 hours of your entry into the venue.
• The result of the Lateral Flow Device test needs to be uploaded using the NHS Self-Report Tool, whether you are a UK resident or a ticket-holder from abroad. Please do this within 24 hours of taking the test.

You must show proof of your negative test result in one of two ways:

• An email or text message from the NHS Self-Report Tool on your mobile device, including as a screenshot or as a printout.
• Your COVID Pass on the NHS App.

A positive result from a Lateral Flow test means it is likely that you had the COVID-19 coronavirus when the test was taken. If this is the case then you, and anyone you live with must not attend the event and should self-isolate immediately in line with NHS guidance. You are also advised to get a PCR test (a test that is sent to a lab) to confirm their result as soon as possible.

Please Contact Us without delay, and rest assured that in these circumstances we can offer just you, or your whole party, a free exchange to a later performance of the same show, subject to availability. Alternatively, we can issue you with a credit voucher to the value of your original booking, redeemable against future shows at the Northcott Theatre.

If you test positive for COVID-19 in the days after seeing the show, please ensure you enter your result in the national NHS App or call 119.

Please help us minimise delays by taking your Lateral Flow test before arriving at the venue. Your test will need to be taken within 48 hours of your visit and will need to be demonstrated via the NHS COVID pass.

We strongly advise you to use the COVID Pass on the NHS App, however we will accept Vaccine Card and Photo ID as an alternative demonstration of COVID-19 status.

We may change this guidance in line with changing circumstances or changes to government guidance, and will give as much notice as possible of any such change on our website and in any direct communications with customers.

You can obtain the NHS COVID pass in three ways:

• Using the NHS Website
• Downloading and registering for the free NHS App.
• By requesting an NHS COVID Pass letter posted to you via the NHS Website or 119

All attendees over the age of 18 will be required provide proof of their COVID-19 status to gain entry to the venue. We will also ask for verbal confirmation that audience members under the age of 18 have neither received a recent positive test result nor are currently suffering from symptoms of COVID-19. However, we understand that some people are clinically exempt from providing their COVID-19 status, and we’re committed to ensuring that nobody is excluded on these grounds.

If you’re exempt from being vaccinated or tested for COVID-19, but still want access to events and venues in England that request NHS Covid Pass, then you’ll need to get proof of your exemption. To do so, phone the NHS Covid Pass service on 119 to ask for an application form, or visit the NHS Website for more information. A carer can also apply for an exemption on your behalf. Once filled in, if your application is approved, you should receive confirmation within 2-3 weeks, and will then be able to use the NHS Covid Pass. It won’t show that you are exempt, simply that you have the pass.

If you have applied but are still awaiting confirmation, you can self-declare as exempt.

We recommend that all visitors wear a face covering whilst visiting the Northcott, unless clinically exempt. However, we understand that there are some circumstances where other people may choose not to wear a face covering and we will respect and support people in making these choices. These circumstances may include:

• Children aged under 11
• People who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness, impairment, or disability
• Where putting on, wearing or removing a face covering causes severe distress
• If you are speaking to or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading, clear sound or facial expressions to communicate

We also understand that visitors will need to remove face coverings when enjoying food or drink at the venue.

Our theatre staff will be wearing face coverings.

Follow these steps to find the Covid-19 app on your Android:

Step 1 – Find and install the NHS COVID-19 app on the Google Play Store

1. Find the Google Play Store app and tap on it to open it.
2. Tap on the Search for apps & games search box.
3. Type in “NHS COVID-19” to search for the app. You’ll see a list of results. Select the app with the name “NHS COVID-19 app”.
4. Tap on Install to start downloading.

Step 2 – Switch on Bluetooth in your phone’s settings

1. Once the app has downloaded, you’ll need to switch on Bluetooth so it can work.
2. Go to your phone’s home screen. Find Settings and tap on it to open.
3. Scroll down in Settings until you find Connected devices or Connections and tap on it to open.
4. Find Bluetooth and tap on it. You may need to open Connected preferences to find Bluetooth, depending on your phone model.
5. Tap the slider button next to Bluetooth to switch it on. It should change colour once Bluetooth is on.

Step 3 – Using the app

1. Return to your phone’s home screen where you can see all of your apps. Find the NHS COVID-19 app and tap on it to open.
2. Your NHS COVID-19 app is now up and running.
3. You can use your phone as normal. However, make sure you keep the app running in the background and your Bluetooth turned on.

Follow these steps to find the Covid-19 app on your iPhone:

Step 1 – Find the NHS COVID-19 app on the App Store

1. Find the App Store app and tap on it to open it.
2. Tap on Search at the bottom of the screen.
3. Type in “NHS COVID-19 app” in the search bar.
4. You’ll see a list of results for different apps.

Step 2 – Download the app from the App Store

1. On your screen you can now see the NHS COVID-19 app.
2. Tap on the GET button. You might be asked to type in your Apple ID details to confirm your identity. You can also use fingerprint or face verification if you’ve already set these up.

Step 3 – Switch on Bluetooth in your iPhone’s settings

1. Once the app has downloaded, you’ll need to switch on Bluetooth so it can work.
2. Go to your iPhone’s home screen. Find Settings and tap on it to open.
3. Scroll down in Settings until you find Bluetooth. Tap on it to open.
4. Tap the slider button next to Bluetooth to switch it on. It should turn green once Bluetooth is on.

Step 4 – Using the app

1. Return to your phone’s home screen where you can see all your apps.
2. Find the NHS COVID-19 app and tap on it to open.
3. Your NHS COVID-19 app is now up and running.
4. You can use your phone as normal, however make sure you keep the app running in the background and your Bluetooth turned on.

We understand that some people are clinically exempt from providing their COVID-19 status, and we’re committed to ensuring that nobody is excluded on these grounds, so if this applies to someone in your party, please contact our Box Office for more information.

No –  if you are entering the theatre to visit the Theatre Café only, and not entering the auditorium, you will not be required to demonstrate your COVID status.