Member organisation HBAA, Hotel Booking Agents Association, provide much needed clarity on the industry following Fridays announcement...
Meetings at hotels and permitted venues.
Meetings of up to 30 persons can take place NOW. Business Visits and Events Partnership (BVEP) are seeking clarity on whether it can be more than one meeting x 30 in one venue - whether that’s for the same or different clients.
Face masks do not have to be worn in meetings x 30.
What is a ‘permitted venue’?
Any venue which has been allowed to open and operate under the Covid-19 health and safety protocols. Currently conference centres and exhibition venues are not permitted venues, but further discussion is taking place as to why, in particular, conference centres should not be able to host meetings at this time.
Larger meetings, events and exhibitions in England
Other meetings/events/exhibitions can be planned to take place from 1 October, assuming that the indoor pilot case studies are deemed successful/safe.
It is currently anticipated that two pilot events – an exhibition with small adjacent meetings, and a larger meeting/conference - will take place at two London venues in the next three weeks. Information on other pilot events will be advised.
Further information on business events and conferences taking place from 1 October can be found here
Government guidance on health and safety for the sector has been updated here