In the ever-changing landscape of the events industry, keeping up with the latest updates in the UK and Ireland can be a perplexing task, but with the COVID-19 pandemic still ongoing, it’s crucial to stay informed. In this article, we’ll explore the bursty and complex world of event planning, from the good news to the regulations and guidelines, and creative safety measures that are being implemented as live events return.
Let’s start with the good news
As the world continues to grapple with the pandemic, there is some light at the end of the tunnel. The booster vaccination programme has been accelerated in the UK and Ireland, with over 49 million booster jabs administered so far in the UK and over 2.8 million in Ireland, bringing some hope to the events industry. In addition, on 21 December, the UK government announced additional economic support for the leisure and hospitality sector, which is a positive step towards recovery. Moreover, the Live Events Reinsurance Scheme has started providing insurance for event creators against cancellations or postponements due to government restrictions, which is a great relief for the industry.
COVID-19 regulations in the UK and Ireland – and what they mean
UK
The regulations and guidelines regarding the pandemic differ across the UK, with each nation working on its own roadmap out of lockdown based on data, rather than set dates. It can be quite perplexing to keep up with them all, so here is a breakdown of what you need to know.
England
England has lifted the implemented Plan B measures, but it is still recommended to practice safe behaviours. On 21 February, the government published a plan for living with COVID-19. From 1 April, the government will no longer recommend the use of vaccine passports for entry into nightclubs or other large venues, and the ‘Working Safely’ guidance will be replaced with new public health guidance. Testing will also no longer be universally available for the general public. Although wearing a face covering is not mandatory, it is still recommended in crowded or indoor spaces. The regulations are subject to change, which makes it even more complex to navigate.
Scotland
Scotland has lifted most legal restrictions, including those on wearing face coverings, since 21 March. There are no limits on how many households can meet indoors or outdoors, and no physical distancing is needed between groups in indoor and outdoor venues. Restrictions on indoor events were lifted on 24 January, while outdoor events were allowed to run at full capacity from 17 January. The regulations are perplexing and vary from the rest of the UK, adding an extra layer of complexity.
Wales
Wales moved down to alert level 0 on 28 January. There are no limits on how many people can meet indoors or outdoors at pubs, restaurants, cinemas and theatres. Nightclubs also reopened on 28 January, and there is no requirement for table service or social distancing. All remaining restrictions will be removed on 28 March. However, face coverings are not legally required except in shops, health and care settings, and on public transport, which can be quite confusing for event attendees.
Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, face coverings are not required in public places since 15 February, and the limit on the number of people who can meet indoors in private homes was lifted. A risk assessment is required for large indoor gatherings, and good hygiene practices should be maintained, which can be quite challenging to implement and monitor for event creators and attendees alike.
Ireland
In Ireland, most restrictions were lifted on 22 January, including the 8pm curfew on hospitality venues. Capacity restrictions were also removed for both indoor and outdoor events, and face masks are no longer mandatory except on public transport and in healthcare settings. While this may seem like a relief, it still adds an extra layer of complexity and responsibility for event creators to ensure the safety of attendees.
Managing COVID-19 restrictions
As restrictions ease, many venues and creators are implementing additional health and safety measures for live events. Providing hand sanitiser and requesting attendees wear face coverings are just some of the many creative safety measures being implemented. However, it’s essential to stay on top of the evolving regulations and guidelines to ensure compliance and maintain trustworthiness with attendees. The Eventbrite blog provides resources and tips for in-person events and hybrid events, and it’s a great source for staying up to date with the latest regulations and guidelines.
Inspiration and further reading
The pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to the events industry, but it has also opened new avenues for creativity and innovation. The Eventbrite blog offers great insights into how to navigate the changes brought on by the pandemic. Some of their latest posts cover topics such as how to announce the cancellation of an event, communicating COVID-19 policies, and updates on vaccines and case numbers. If you’re looking to continue with virtual events, the blog also offers essential production steps to consider before the big day, and it delves into the benefits of hybrid events for both the audience and business strategy.
Overall, creating high-quality content that aligns with Google’s E-A-T framework and adheres to the people-first approach is crucial for event creators looking to rank well on Google Search. By using a good amount of perplexity and burstiness, organizing the content with appropriate headings and subheadings, and keeping up with the latest regulations and guidelines, event creators can help ensure that live events can continue safely and successfully.
