As we all continue to navigate a way through the challenges Coronavirus (COVID-19) has presented, our member venues are carefully following government guidelines and roadmap.
The Roadmap steps:
Step 1: From 8th March - Events and Activities that can take place:
- Permitted venues, including exhibition and conference centres, can hire out function and event spaces for essential work, education and training purposes, where these events cannot reasonably be conducted remotely. However, they must not host conferences, exhibitions, trade shows, private dining events or banquets. In-person meetings for work, training or education purposes should only take place where they cannot be delayed or reasonably be conducted remotely, and only where social distancing can be maintained and the venue can demonstrate it has followed COVID-19 guidance.
- Weddings and civil partnership ceremonies must only take place with up to 6 people. Anyone working is not included. These should only take place in exceptional circumstances, for example, an urgent marriage where one of those getting married is seriously ill and not expected to recover, or is to undergo debilitating treatment or life-changing surgery (in premises that are permitted to open).
- Film production and broadcasting is allowed at permitted venues. Please click here for further guidance. An update from Film London can also be found here.
From 29th March
- Weddings will still be able to proceed with 6 attendees only but will no longer be limited to exceptional circumstances.
Step 2: From 12th April at the earliest
- Weddings, receptions and commemorative events including wakes will be able to take place with up to 15 attendees (in premises that are permitted to open).
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Wedding receptions can take place with up to 15 people in the form of a sit down meal in any COVID-19 Secure outdoor venue that is permitted to open.
Step 3: From 17th May at the earliest
- Some large events, including conferences, theatre and concert performances and sports events. Controlled indoor events of up to 1,000 people or 50% of a venue’s capacity, whichever is lower, will be permitted, as will outdoor events with a capacity of either 50% or 4,000 people, whichever is lower.
- Weddings, receptions, funerals, and commemorative events including wakes can proceed with up to 30 attendees. A broader range of stand-alone life events will also be permitted at this step, including bar mitzvahs and christenings.
Step 4: From 21st June at the earliest
Step 4 will take place no earlier than 21 June, and at least five weeks after Step 3, following a further review of the data against the four Government tests.
With appropriate mitigations in place, by Step 4, the Government aims to:
a. Remove all legal limits on social contact, publishing accompanying guidance on how best to reduce the risk of transmission and protect ourselves and loved ones;
b. Reopen the remaining closed settings, including nightclubs and enable large events, including theatre performances, above the Step 3 capacity restrictions, subject to the outcome of the scientific Events Research Programme and potentially using testing to reduce the risk of infection, subject to further evaluation; and
c. Remove all limits on weddings and other life events, subject to the outcome of the scientific Events Research Programme.
Our member venues have diligently prepared revised capacity guides and COVID policies to safeguard your future events. Details of the changes in capacities and their policies can found on each venue’s page on our website or by contacting the venues directly.
We all look forward to welcoming you and assisting you with your event planning for future events.
In the meantime, please find below helpful information for your guidance:
www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/the-visitor-economy
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-response-spring-2021
www.gov.uk/government/collections/guidance-for-dcms-sectors-in-relation-to-coronavirus-covid-19
www.visitbritain.org/were-good-go-industry-standard-all-sectors-tourism-industry