Organisers of next month's Brit Awards at London's O2 Arena have said that the show will feature an audience of 4,000 as part of the British government's live events pilot scheme.
Dua Lipa, Griff, Arlo Parks and Headie One are among the artists scheduled to perform during the ceremony on 11 May, which will be hosted by Jack Whitehall.
The Press Association reports that audience members attending the indoor show will not be socially distanced or required to wear face coverings once seated.
They will, however, need proof of a negative lateral flow test result to enter the venue and will be required to provide details to NHS Test and Trace and follow government guidance while travelling.
Organisers are gifting 2,500 tickets to key workers from the Greater London area to mark their work through "the difficult times" of the pandemic.
The announcement comes after the Grammy Awards hosted a successful 2021 edition in Los Angeles, which saw nominees and performers, including Beyoncé and Harry Styles, attend in person but without a live audience.
The Brits are the latest addition to the British government's Events Research Programme, which is looking at how venues can restart large events and welcome crowds back safely this summer.
The World Snooker Championships at the Sheffield Crucible and an outdoor gig at Liverpool's Sefton Park are also being used to gather data which will inform government policy.
Geoff Taylor, Chief Executive of the British Phonographic Industry and Brit Awards, described the ceremony as "one of the most significant in the show's history".
"Not only will we be celebrating the brilliant music and artists that have helped us through the pandemic, but we hope it will provide a path for the return of live music that fans and artists have so sorely missed," he continued.
"And as a thank-you to the key workers who have kept our country going through the difficult times, we are inviting them to be our audience for the first live performances at the O2 in over a year.
"We're buzzing about the show and working closely with the government, the O2 and all our partners to ensure all safety measures and guidelines are adhered to."
Source: Press Association
