The Scottish Government has released guidance for the events sector on safe re-opening during the coronavirus pandemic.
The guidance comes into effect immediately and will be reviewed and updated on a regular basis in line with the regular three weekly review of lockdown requirements.
It includes guidance on enhanced hygiene, public toilets, physical distancing, shift patterns, dealing with emergencies, travel to work, face coverings, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), security, guidance for businesses preparing food and key risk factors for events. You can read the full guidance here.
The guidance says: "We want a strong events sector to help drive Scotland's economic recovery and future prosperity. Event organisers should therefore use this guidance to look forward and engage with trade union or workforce representatives early in their plans for restart to develop workplace specific plans for a managed transition away from current restrictions, allowing sufficient time for that joint work. And while those plans should be fully developed, with measures put in place and tested where possible, they should not be implemented as yet.
"The Scottish Government is keen to build confidence and create the right environment for supporting safer work as we continue to live with COVID-19.
"We have worked with employers, trade unions, local authorities and representatives from across the events sector to ensure this guidance is evidence-based, fair and ethical, clear and realistic. We welcome the extensive work that trade bodies, industry groups and individual businesses have already done to plan ahead for safe workplaces through practical measures and draft guidelines aimed at ensuring the safety of workforce and the public is at the centre of operational plans for re-starting the sector. As each event is different, it is for individual businesses to work with trade union or workforce representatives to determine how best to apply this guidance in their circumstances.
"To help you decide which actions to take, you need to carry out an appropriate Covid-19 risk assessment, just as you would for other health and safety related hazards. The list of considerations in this guidance should provide you with a good starting place. The key areas which you need to consider are outlined in each of the sections."
The advice is designed to provide general guidance for event organisers in supporting the restart of businesses, with a particular focus on the workforce and workplace, in order to help events restart safely at the appropriate time.
M&IT editor Paul Harvey is a journalist with more than 15 years of experience. He began his career in the local press, working for various titles across the north. Since joining M&IT in 2013, he has become a trusted and respected voice in the sector, championing event professionals and reporting on all aspects of the events industry for the brand.
