[Source: Conference News, Martin Fullard.]
Multi-day events, including exhibitions, tradeshows, conferences and other business events, may not take place in any Tier in England, updated Government guidance has confirmed.
It is not clear for how long multi-day events will not be permitted.
Sources close to Conference News suggest this decision has made to prevent the encouragement of social interaction between event days, although no official confirmation from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) or central Government has been forthcoming.
Large events may now operate over a single day. In Tier 1 (Medium) areas, business meetings and events are permitted at a cap of 50% of the venue’s capacity or 4000 people outdoors or 1000 people indoors, whichever is lowest. This capacity refers to the total number of people per event and does not include venue staff. Similar rules apply in Tier 2 (High) areas, with the key difference being a reduction to 2,000 people permitted in outdoor settings.
Events taking place in Tier 1 and 2 areas will need to follow the All Secure Standard, which can be read here.
Events are not permitted in Tier 3 (Very High) areas. However, while smaller business meetings are advised against, they may take place with up to a total of 30 people if reasonably necessary, such as for the purposes of work that cannot be done at home. In such cases, social distancing must be maintained, and the venue must be able to demonstrate it has followed the Meetings Industry Association’s Covid-19 guidance, which can be read here.
The Government guidance has also called on organisers and venues not to make concessions on matters relating to security.
The guidance reads: “Adapting to Covid-19 measures will inevitably result in changes to operating policies, processes and procedures of hotels, indoor, outdoor attractions and business event centres and venues.
“Any changes should always be considered alongside security implications. If you have a security department or manager, they should be consulted to help ensure good security is maintained as far as possible and that there are no unintended security consequences as a result of changes. This should be achieved by conducting a security risk assessment.”
Specific examples of where security implications may arise include queueing, search and screening (where this has been directed by a wider government policy on security), maintaining vigilance for potential threats, and access controls.