Guidance gives indication of how events could resume from 1 October

The government has released early guidance around how the events and conferencing sectors will begin to reopen from 1 October, following the prime minister’s announcement earlier today.

Boris Johnson outlined the reopening of the sectors in a plan dependant on the country avoiding a second spike of Covid-19 cases that would threaten to overwhelm the NHS, as the country aims for a "significant return to normality" by Christmas.

Following today’s announcement, a number of pilot events will take place at event venues around the country with detailed guidance expected in the coming weeks.

Early guidance has put forward measures including:

• Attendees needing to pre-book and pre-register • Contactless registration systems to be introduced at venues
• A digital-first approach will be adopted to eliminate the need for physical badges and lanyards • Paper handouts and gifts will no longer be offered • Entrance to event or conference spaces will be staggered • Events will be planned around one-way systems • Spaces between exhibition booths will be increased and aisles widened • All venues will have enhanced cleaning procedures

Tourism minister Nigel Huddleston said: “Business events and conferences are a key part of our visitor economy and this is an important step in getting them back up and running safely.

“Pilots will help inform our plans for the return of the sector in October with guests and staff adhering to social distancing and measures introduced to reduce close contact.

“The UK has a great reputation in staging fantastic events that help drive growth for many different sectors and this will give the business event sector the certainty it needs to plan for the future.”

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