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Cover Story
The Government
has issued a restart date
of 1 October for larger
events to run, subject to
the number of Covid-19
cases not rising
dramatically
usiness events,
conferences,
exhibitions and
events centres
have been given
the go ahead to reopen on 1
October, adhering to social
distancing, prime minister Boris
Johnson confirmed, 17 July.
Meetings of up to 30 people are
allowed from 1 August in certain
venues if they are capable of
adhering to safety guidance and
can accommodate social
distancing requirements. This
may include hotels, cinemas and
heritage venues. The return date
of 1 October is conditional on
the rate of infection staying at a
manageable level.
Following the announcement,
a number of pilot events will take
place at event venues across the
country to plan for a return to
large-scale events and test how
best to implement social
distancing practises. Details of
these pilots will be finalised in
partnership with the sector in
the coming weeks.
New guidance, published by
the Department for Digital
Culture, Media and Sport
(DCMS) and the Association of
Event Organisers (AEO), will help
event organisers, venue
operators and participants in the
UK understand how they can
work and host business events
and conferences and keep both
their guests and staff safe.
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
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