The Events Industry Forum (EIF), the collective body of trade associations in the outdoor events sector, has released the following statement on the Prime Ministers announcement on 5th July:
“While we await full details of ‘Freedom Day’ on 19th July and what this will mean for the outdoor events industry, there is growing optimism across the sector that the rest of the summer season can be saved, however, there are various caveats.
On 5th July, the Prime minister announced at a press conference, and the new Sec. of state for Health and social care confirmed in Parliament, that on 19th July 2021 lockdown as we know it will end.
This may well come too late for some events but will be very welcome news for those with outdoor events planned for what remains of 2021.
However, as members of EIF will be aware, this good news needs to be tempered by some caution as the pandemic is not over and there are still implications under the Health & Safety at Work Act, which places an obligation on businesses to manage the safety of their employees.
As publisher of the Purple Guide, EIF is committed to producing a new chapter on public health management as quickly as possible once we have the details of the 19th July unlocking. This will be done in consultation with the Health & Safety Executive with whom we already work. This should also assist local authorities in considering how they deal with H+S in future as it will clearly remain part of event risk assessments.
Whilst welcoming these first steps towards re- opening EIF is also keen to remind its members that another factor that is not removed is the risk of further restrictions this Autumn if there is a surge in hospitalisations. Therefore, we still urgently need insurance support from the Government as the commercial market is not going to provide this. This is something we, as EIF, will continue to lobby for.
With those elements of caution, we nevertheless welcome the relaxation of the COVID regulations which should allow many more of our events to return this summer and autumn.”
