Scotland’s music venues have been given the green light to open again from May 17.

Socially-distanced crowds of up to 100 people will be permitted in clubs as well as cinemas, theatres and comedy clubs, as part of Scotland’s road map out of lockdown.

Festivals and other outdoor events will also be permitted, for crowds of up to 500.

The road map will be updated in early June, when, assuming that the fight against Covid is going to plan, venue audiences will be doubled to 200 people for indoor venues, and 1000 for events taking place outdoors.

Very much on the horizon, event organisers may see another doubling of audience numbers, with events for up to 400 indoors and 2000 outdoors being permitted to take place – with higher capacities possibly open to negotiation.

The Scottish Government’s guidance states: “From 17 May 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.”

Up-to-date information can be found at the Scottish Government website.