The Yukon Arts Centre’s main theatre will increase its capacity to 179 seats, and the balcony will be reopened, the centre said Wednesday.

Physical distancing will still supported within the new seating map.

The centre has been working with the Yukon government and its national partners to determine a safe path forward for the fall.

With the territory’s state of emergency having been lifted late Wednesday night, the centre is enacting updated COVID-19 protocol.

Vaccination will not be required to attend an event, but non-vaccinated patrons are encouraged to take every precaution when attending. Alternately, the event can be viewed online.

Masks will still be mandatory upon arrival and during the performance in the theatre.

There will be no in-person box office sales at events. All sales will be required to be online purchases prior to the start of the event.

There will be no bar/concession sales.

Performances will not be allowed to have an intermission, so performance run times are encouraged to be within two hours.

There will be facilitated entrances and exits for audience members.;

The gallery will be closed to the public pre- and post-performance.

The centre will use these guidelines until the end of the calendar year.

“If there are no further disruptions to our community from COVID-19, we will plan to move back to full capacity in 2022,” the centre said.