Negative lateral flow required for all Edinburgh Hogmanay events

Proof of a negative lateral flow test will be required to attend any of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay events, organisers Underbelly said on Thursday.

All ticket holders for Party at the Bells, the Torchlight Procession, the Loony Dook and any concert that is part of the Scottish music programme in Greyfriars Kirk, are required to provide proof from the day of the event they are attending.

Underbelly say the measures go “over and above the latest Scottish Government guidance” and are part of a “continued commitment to providing a safe and great Hogmanay”.

Underbelly co-directors Charlie Wood and Ed Bartlam, said: “Underbelly continues to work daily with the Scottish Government and City of Edinburgh Council and agencies to deliver a safe and a great Hogmanay.

“With safety at the heart of everything we do, we have decided proactively to introduce additional measures that are designed to protect our audiences, artists and employees to keep them safe.

“We and all agencies are working hard to deliver the event and to welcome audiences to Princes Street, placing Scotland at the forefront of the world’s new year events.”

Additional mitigations in place include wearing face coverings at the music concerts and Test and Protect contact tracing.

Councillor Donald Wilson, Edinburgh City Council’s culture and communities convener, said: “Our absolute priority will always be the health and wellbeing of the public, staff and the city as a whole.”

“We’re continually reviewing and updating our plans for Hogmanay in the face of the changing circumstances posed by the pandemic and these additional measures will help to ensure that our events are as safe as possible.”

Meanwhile, Stonehaven’s Hogmanay Fireballs event has been cancelled for the second year in a row amid the rapid spread of the Omicron variant across Scotland.

Thousands of people normally attend the Aberdeenshire town at New Year to watch the parade, which involves participants swinging large flaming balls around their heads

Event organisers said they took the decision following the new guidance around social distancing outlined by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in Parliament this week.