We take the safety of event delegates, activity class members, event organisers and staff extremely seriously. As a result we have introduced guidelines and procedures to help mitigate the risk from Covid-19.

When considering implementation we reviewed the guidance given by Public Health England and the government. We advise all those that use our facilities to familiarise themselves with the latest information and guidance from the government and health authorities.

We will continue to review our procedures in line with any update to government guidance, and some of these may be adapted or amended as appropriate.

Venue updates

We have introduced floor markings to indicate in which way people should walk, to maximise safe distancing, throughout the building, as well as additional signage to remind visitors of social distancing measures where necessary.

We have introduced hand sanitiser stations at the entrances and additional hand sanitiser stations throughout the building. All toilets have liquid soap dispensers.

Where necessary staff will wear the appropriate PPE (this may include the use of gloves, face masks and aprons) to protect themselves and others, to help mitigate against any possible cross contamination.

Perspex screens have been installed in the reception/welcome desk area to help shield staff and visitors.

The health of staff will be monitored daily and necessary action will be taken if required for the safety of both staff members and visitors. Where appropriate, a one-way system will be in operation and the route will be clearly marked.

Social distancing and capacity

Measures should be in place to ensure that all participants / delegates of the facilities follow the guidelines on social distancing, including strict adherence to social distancing of 2 metres or 1 metre with risk mitigation (where 2 metres is not viable) are acceptable.

The size and circumstance of the premises will determine the maximum number of people that can be accommodated while also facilitating social distancing. In defining the number of people that can reasonably follow 2 metres distancing (or 1 metre with risk mitigation), the total floor space as well as likely pinch points and busy areas should be taken into account (e.g. entrances, exits) and where possible alternative or one-way routes introduced.

At the moment, it is against the law for gatherings of more than 30 people to take place in private homes (including gardens and other outdoor spaces). However, premises or locations which are COVID-19 Secure will be able to hold more than 30 people, subject to their own capacity limits.

Although gatherings of more than 30 people are permitted in a COVID-19 Secure premises (where they can do so safely), attendees should socially distance from those they don’t live with, including other people they know.

Cleaning

Additional cleaning measures and additional cleaning staff will be used, depending on the number of people, across event spaces/studios, toilets and communal areas, so that appropriate cleaning can take place throughout the period of hire.

In line with our standard practice, training rooms, auditoriums and dance studios will be thoroughly cleaned prior to the hire of the space. All surfaces, especially those most frequently touched, should be cleaned regularly, using standard cleaning products.

Hand sanitizer should be provided so that all participants / delegates can have access to it.

IT or AV equipment used will be thoroughly cleaned before and after each event.

Noise

Organisers should ensure that steps are taken to avoid people needing to unduly raise their voices to each other. This includes – but is not limited to – refraining from playing music or broadcasts that may encourage shouting, including if played at a volume that makes normal conversation difficult. This is because of the potential for increased risk of transmission – particularly from aerosol and droplet transmission.

NHS Test and Trace (collecting attendee data)

The opening up of the economy following the COVID-19 outbreak is being supported by NHS Test and Trace. You should assist this service by keeping a temporary record of all participants / delegates, visitors and staff for 21 days, in a way that is manageable for your organisation, and assist NHS Test and Trace with requests for that data if needed. This could help contain clusters or outbreaks.

At the time of the event

  • All participants / delegates will need to use the door that is allocated to them.
  • All participants / delegates should comply with the Governments’ guidelines on social distancing. We are not implementing any further requirements, on top of these.
  • No face masks are required while they are in the building.
  • On entering the building all participants / delegates will be asked to apply hand sanitizer. This will be available at the entrance.
  • They will then be directed to where they should go for their event / class.
  • There will be an anti-bacterial spray, with a roll off blue paper towelling that can be used to wipe down surfaces in each room.
  • Regarding registers, we are not taking a register (at the moment), but we expect  that the organiser of the event / class maintain a register of all the people attending,  in case there needs to be track and trace implemented. Please keep these records for 21 days. This policy might change after September when the students return.