'Think carefully' before planning events Wiltshire Council warns
The local authority has received an influx of requests from organisers to confirm if events can go ahead this summer
Wiltshire Council is urging organisers to take a step back and think carefully before planning for an event after the 21st June.
The local authority is warning there is still uncertainty over whether the government will stick to the dates laid out in the Spring Roadmap on the 22nd February.
Since then, event organisers have been requesting confirmation that their events can go ahead and are seeking advice on how to make them COVID secure.
However, Wiltshire Council and Wiltshire Police are reminding organisers that the dates are indicative of meeting these four tests set out by the Government:
- The vaccine deployment programme continues successfully.
- Evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths in those vaccinated.
- Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations which would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS.
- Their assessment of the risks is not fundamentally changed by new Variants of Concern.
A letter sent out to organisers by Wiltshire Council and Wiltshire Police says they should think carefully about planning for the future and there's no guarantee events can happen as normal after June 21st.
Both parties are supporting and encouraging events to take place safely but are advising they do not hold the liability for any event not going ahead under continuing restrictions, it's the responsibility of the event organisers.
The letter reads:
"We recognise that planning any event takes a significant amount of organising and expenditure to ensure it takes place safely and successfully.
"Due to the uncertainties involved and the need to wait for the data we are not able to offer any clear guidance on the necessary control measures or future restrictions that may still be place in the summer to ensure that events are COVID safe.
"We do not currently have Government advice on the COVID mitigations envisaged when we reach Step 4 (21st June), and there is a risk that your event may have to be cancelled, potentially with little notice, to protect the health of the public in accordance with any regulations that may be in force at the time.
"Safeguarding the health of our local communities and visitors must continue to be the priority. In time the data and relevant Government guidance will become clearer but at this point it is right to highlight the risks associated with holding any events. We will of course continue to monitor the issue and update our website with the latest information."