As part of the UK government’s cautious, step-by-step process of returning audiences to live events on or around October 1, the BBC welcomed back studio audiences for the first time since the coronavirus outbreak when an episode of comedy entertainment show QI was filmed in front of 40 people on Monday night.
The show, made by Fremantle-backed Talkback, was recorded at a BBC Studioworks facility at Television Centre in London.
The small audience took their seats in a studio that usually houses 600 people.
The last time BBC Studioworks had a live audience was in March, and the commercial offshoot of the BBC said strict safety protocols were enforced for QI, which is presented by former Great British Bake Off host Sandi Toksvig.
BBC Studioworks said it carried out temperature checks on people as they entered the studio building using thermal cameras, while hand sanitizers were stationed in the outside queuing area and by studio doors.
It staggered the audiences’ entry and exit to the studio, and people were seated using 2-metre social distancing rules. Masks were mandatory, meaning fans laughed along to their favourite show behind a face covering.
In addition to BBC Studioworks’ safety procedures, ticketing company Applause Store is keeping a 21-day record of the audience for test and trace purposes in the event of a coronavirus outbreak.
The QI production was filmed in front of a live audience after the UK government greenlit indoor performances last week including the finals of the World Snooker Championships. Other UK entertainment shows are set to welcome back audiences in the coming weeks, including ITV’s The Masked Singer.
