In common with most of the UK's theatres and other arts venues, HOME Manchester announced it would close soon after Prime Minister Boris Johnson's statement on 16 March 2020 appealing to the public to stay away from public places to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

A week later, HOME announced a series of commissions, titled Homemakers, from artists asking them to devise new works in their homes for audiences who will also be at home.

The initiative was created by HOME's Associate Director Jude Christian who spoke to BTG Editor David Chadderton online, both in their own homes, a few days after the announcement. Jude explained about the project and the commissioning process and about some wider issues relating to the impact on theatre of the country's current shutdown.

Homemakers aims to launch its first works online in early April 2020.