Government lifts limits on events, but some uncertainty remains
On the 19th of July 2021, the government officially lifted Covid restrictions in the UK. It’s a day that’s been the subject of huge anticipation, but so-called ‘Freedom Day’ has still been a day that’s been defined by its caveats, as the government hedges its bets on certain issues (such as mask-wearing). This has resulted in no small amount of uncertainty and confusion, which has been unwelcome news to anyone waiting to find out whether they can hold events or not.
That includes many of our own customers here at Rubber Box, many of whom have traditionally relied on our power distro boxes to power their events. So naturally we’ve been keeping a fairly close eye on the proceedings ourselves here at Rubber Box – so here’s a bit more clarity on what’s going on.
What has the government said?
As of the 19th of July, the government has lifted the majority of Covid-19 restrictions in the UK, even though cases are still technically rising. However, the official announcement reasons that coronavirus will be a feature of our lives for the foreseeable future, so it’s highlighting the importance of managing the risk, and placing emphasis on personal judgement and individual responsibility.
Now, it’s important for us to say that the following is not an exhaustive summary – you can find that on the Government’s coronavirus restrictions page – but just our roundup of some of the key developments.
Social distancing rules have been scrapped, and people are no longer being advised to work from home as a general rule. The requirement to wear face coverings indoors has been lifted, but the government still recommends using them in crowded areas such as public transport, and many individual stores are keeping their own mask mandate intact.
Hospitality venues aren’t mandated to provide table service, or to enforce social distancing rules. What’s more, all remaining closed businesses are permitted to re-open, including nightclubs and other adult entertainment venues.
This last one is a particularly notable step for the wider industry, as it indicates one of the most significant steps towards holding large-scale events again since the findings of the Events Research Programme were published back in late June – where ‘no substantial outbreaks’ were detected after mass test events.
So can we hold events now?
As of the time of writing, all capacity limits at sporting, entertainment and business events have been lifted.
So under the current rules, yes you can now hold events.
However, it’s worth noting that we’re still at a point where infections are rising, and the UK is still in the grip of the ‘third wave’ of infections, with the Delta variant becoming increasingly prevalent. So in ‘high risk’ settings, the government still strongly recommends using the NHS Covid Pass, which proves that someone has been fully vaccinated.
This is not yet a legal requirement, but may become one in the coming months. The Prime Minister has made it clear that he currently plans to make full vaccinations a condition of entry to nightclubs and other venues susceptible to ‘large crowds’ by the end of September.
That might not be a given, though. Making it a legal requirement needs Parliamentary approval, so the measure will need to pass a vote in the commons. There’s every indication right now that such an approval would be a close-run thing, amid concerns that so-called vaccine passports would create a two-tier society.
So for the time being, it does look like that uncertainty is set to stay, and just like many other aspects of daily life at the moment, the choice to hold an event may come down to a personal risk assessment and a case of individual choice.
Whenever you’re planning on holding your next event though, whether it’s in the coming weeks or further down the line, you can count on us to be around to help right here at Rubber Box. If you’re in need of some electrical distribution equipment, you’re in exactly the right place. You can get started now on exploring some of our products – like our 32A power supply distros – or if you know what you want already, you can always request a quote now! We’re always happy to provide guidance you might need, so if you’re looking for a quick word of advice just give us a call on 01282 677 910.