Government Guidance from DCMS update for Outdoor and Indoor Events 10 July 2020

by | Jul 14, 2020 | Event Management, Events, Information and Guidance, Organising, Risk management, Uncategorized, Venues |

Current Situation

  • Government announcement from DCMS made on the evening of Thursday 9th July set out a list of detailed objectives and some guidance.
  • Licensing Authorities are asked to “avoid issuing licenses for events that could lead to larger gatherings forming and provide advice to businesses on how to manage events of this type. If appropriate, the Government has powers under ​schedule 2​2​ of the Coronavirus Act ​2020 ​to close venues hosting large gatherings or prohibit certain events (or types of event) from taking place.”
  • Until such time that more detailed event or public gathering specific guidance has come from Government and Public Health England then Lambeth Events team will not be permitting any new events to take place without adhering to the DCMS current guidance.
  • EventLambeth will only consider events which can demonstrate they meet the following requirements. Lambeth Council requirements may change should there be further guidance from the Government and Public Health England.

Current Government Guidance

  • Social Distancing must always be maintained
  • Reviewing capacity in our venues and open spaces
  • Reviewing entrance, exits and hygiene facilities
  • Reviewing the health & safety provisions to maintain government guidance
  • Restriction on singing and playing of wind / brass instruments for professionals only
  • Social interactions should be limited to a group of no more than two households (indoors and out) or up to six people from different households (if outdoors).
  • It is against the law for gatherings of more than 30 people to take place in private homes (including gardens and other outdoor spaces).
  • Events in public outdoor spaces that are organised by businesses, charitable or political organisations, and public bodies, provided they take reasonable steps to mitigate the risk of transmission, in line with COVID-19 Secure guidance and including completion of a risk assessment
  • Those operating venues or running events following COVID-19 Secure guidelines should take additional steps to ensure the safety of the public and prevent large gatherings or mass events from taking place.
  • Managing family groups who may wish to remain closer than the required social distance but who, in doing so, may encourage others to cluster in a similar manner.
  • The expected interactions among participants occurring during the event and implementing sufficient controls to ensure social distancing is maintained.
  • Discouraging or avoiding activities or features that are likely to encourage audience behaviours increasing transmission risk, such as crowding, clustering, communal dancing and physical contact outside of household groups or support bubbles.
  • All event organisers must have the capacity to assist with keep temporary records of all attendees to support the NHS Test & Trace.

Our Event Policy and Timescales

  • Our processes and agreed timescales for events
    • Small Events (up to 499) 3 months notice
    • Medium Events (500 – 4999) 6 months notice
    • Large Events (5000 – 19,999) 9 Months notice
    • Major Events (20,000+) 12 Months Notice
  • Timescales ensure that there is enough time for required event plans and documentation to be submitted and assessed and any concerns addressed
  • In some rare circumstances small event timescales can be reduced but ONLY if they do not include Licensable activity or food trading
  • In the current circumstance it is likely that timescales will be increased as there will be additional engagement needed with the Councils Safety Advisory Group and other key stakeholders before any public event is given permission to go ahead.

Moving Forward

  • Public Events are currently not permitted, consideration given to those which have already applied for later in the year or new applications within the agreed timescales and additional risk assessments.
  • Events need to be able to proceed aligned with other areas for the Council such as markets, Food Health and Safety, Licensing and planning requirements.
  • Events taking place need to ensure social distancing can be managed and maintained – reducing the usual capacities available.
  • All events must have a specific COVID-19 Risk Assessment – including additional provisions put in place for Test and Trace, Handwashing, Infection and Prevention Control Measures etc
  • Clear markings for social distancing throughout the venue
  • Responsibility is on the event organiser to ensure that they have the appropriate measures and checks in place
  • Based on the above events that cannot control numbers or register audience in some way will be seen as the highest risk and assessed accordingly.

Further Information

Contacts

If you have any questions about an event in a Lambeth Park, Open Space or highway please contact EventLambeth:

If you have any questions about an indoor event in Lambeth Town Hall, please contact the Venues Team: