COVID Guidance (Step 3, after 17 May)

Step 3 – Events from 17 May
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-organised-events-guidance-for-local-authorities

From 17 May, indoor events and all remaining outdoor events can recommence subject to meeting Covid-secure requirements including social distancing.

All events recommencing at Step 3 will be subject to the following capacity caps: 1,000 people or 50% of a venue’s capacity, whichever is lower at indoor events, and a maximum of 4,000 people or 50% of a site or venue’s capacity, at outdoor events.

Events that are able to commence from Step 3 include those where people are likely to congregate in one area for the duration of the event, and are likely to enter or leave the venue in large numbers at a similar time.

Organisers must take reasonable steps to limit the risk of transmission, completing a related risk assessment, and adhering to all legal requirements, including ensuring that those attending an event do not mix beyond what is permitted by social contact limits.

These limits for permitted organised gatherings will be: Indoors – rule of 6 or two households and 30-person groups outdoors.
The government has made a special provision for large, outdoor seated venues where crowds can be safely distributed around the venue, allowing up to 10,000 people or 25% of total seated capacity, whichever is lower. This provision can be used by venues with a seated capacity of 16,000 or above. For events with mixed seating and standing areas including music, elite sporting events and non-elite/professional spectator events, the capacity cap will be calculated as 25% of seated capacity, irrespective of any standing capacity.

All spectators admitted under this provision must be seated and should not access the venue’s standing capacity to view the event. Where the crowds cannot be seated at a large outdoor venue for the duration of the event or the seated capacity does not exceed 16,000 the cap of 50% of the site’s capacity up to a maximum of 4,000 people will apply.

All capacity restrictions must be adhered to at any point throughout the event. For example, a venue can admit over 1,000 people in a single day, but no more than 1,000 people at one time. If an event runs over the course of multiple days, no more than 1,000 people should be admitted at any one time over that period.

Staff required to run the event are not included in this total.
Catering and hospitality is permitted in groups and with table service.

*Please note it is the responsibility of the organiser for each event held as part of the festival, to ensure this guidance is adhered to. If you are working with a venue, then we strongly recommend speaking to them about completing risk assessments.