Up to 1,000 people will be allowed to attend conferences and other indoor business events in England from December 2, the UK Prime Minister has revealed, as he moves the country out of lockdown.
The limit of 30 people for business events has been scrapped, as Boris Johnson revealed the details of the updated tier system set to apply to England when national lockdown ends next month.
The UK defers to the devolved parliaments of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland to set their own rules.
The winter plan for England sets the limits for events depending on whether the event is indoors or outdoors.
In Tier 1 areas, venues will be limited to either 50 per cent capacity or 4,000 people outdoors and 1,000 indoors, whichever is lower.
In Tier 2 areas, venues will be limited to either 50 per cent capacity or 2,000 people outdoors and 1,000 indoors, whichever is lower. All events will be subject to social distancing.
Events will not be allowed to take place in Tier 3 areas.
Addressing the House of Commons via video, Johnson said: “In Tiers 1 and 2, spectator sports and business events will be able to resume indoors and outside with capacity limits and social distancing, providing more consistency with performances in theatres and concert halls.”
Venues hosting business meetings and events will need to comply with the Meeting Industry Association’s government-approved guidelines, while larger events will need to adhere to the AEO, AEV, and ESSA’s All Secure Standard.
The Meetings Industry Association (mia), Association of Event Organisers (AEO), Association of Event Venues (AEV), and the Event Supplier and Services Association (ESSA), made the following joint statement.
“The business events sector warmly welcomes the announcement that the sector will be able to reopen under the revised Tier system. This integrates the business events sector with sports and performing arts sectors, providing the consistency for which the associations have been fighting.
“Since the start of the pandemic members of all four associations have worked tirelessly with their constituency MPs and government officials to get the industry reopened. Today’s news provides welcome relief to many individuals and businesses hit hard when the industry was stopped suddenly in March 2020.
“The dialogue between the four associations, government officials and ministers has never been stronger, clearly demonstrating that there is a safe way for business events to return by sharing knowledge and developments in both the guidance and the pilot events. Thanks is also due to all the government officials at DCMS and BEIS who have worked tirelessly with the associations to help business return safely.”
The associations have also welcomed initiatives such as rapid testing and the deployment of vaccines, all of which will be needed to rebuild the sector.
Written By
James Lancaster
AMI editor James
Lancaster is a familiar face in the meetings industry and international
association community. Since joining AMI in 2010, he has gained a reputation
for asking difficult questions and getting lost in convention centres. Proofer, podcaster, and panellist - in his spare time, James likes to walk,
read, listen to music, and drink beer.
