Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether private music teachers are able to resume working from (a) their home and (b) a student's homes with effect from 4 July 2020 if they comply with the covid-secure guidance.

As of 4 July, providers offering out-of-school activities to children, including private music teachers, have been able to open for both indoor and outdoor provision with safety measures in place. We have published guidance for providers of these activities on the measures they should put in place to ensure they are operating as safely as possible, available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/protective-measures-for-holiday-or-after-school-clubs-and-other-out-of-school-settings-for-children-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak/protective-measures-for-out-of-school-settings-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak.

If a private music teacher normally offers provision in their own home or students’ homes, they should also refer to the government guidance on working safely during COVID-19 in other people’s homes, available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/homes.

Providers should note that there may be an additional risk of infection in environments where people are singing, chanting, playing wind or brass instruments or shouting. This applies even if individuals are at a distance.

As the risk of transmission is considerably lower outdoors, providers who normally run sessions indoors should consider whether they are able to do so safely outside. However, if this is not possible then private music teachers working from their own home should consider whether a specific, well-ventilated room could be designated for lessons.

Providers should also be aware that at this time they should not be permitting live performances, including music, to take place in front of a live audience.