UK GOV - Working safely during COVID-19 - The visitor economy (Updated June 21, 2021)

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Guidance

Applies to: England (see guidance for Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland)

COVID-19 roadmap

We are currently in Step 3 of the COVID-19 response roadmap https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-response-spring-2021. Some of the rules will change on 21 June. Find out what has changed https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-coronavirus-restrictions-what-you-can-and-cannot-do.

COVID-secure measures, including social distancing, continue to apply in the workplace, and in businesses and public venues. You should continue to follow this guidance and must comply with any requirements which apply to your workplace, business or public venue.

A new COVID-19 variant is spreading in some parts of England. There may be additional advice for your area. Find out what you should do.

This guide was updated on 21 June 2021.
What’s changed
This guide was updated on 21 June to reflect changes to Step 3 which apply from 21 June.
Introduction
What this guidance covers

This guidance will help those in the visitor economy sector understand how to make their workplaces COVID-secure. It covers practical steps that employers, employees and volunteers need to take to work safely.

This includes guidance on how to operate safely within the current restrictions, for those venues which are permitted to operate. It also includes guidance for closed venues, which will help you to prepare for reopening when it is safe to do so.
Who this guidance is for

The visitor economy includes tourism, but more broadly refers to a wide variety of businesses which supply products and services to visitors (both staying and non-staying). This includes organisations (such as theme parks, zoos and bowling alleys) as well as activities and events (such as business meetings, trade shows and events at hotels and conference centres).

This guidance is aimed at business owners, operators and workers in the following areas:

indoor and outdoor attractions (such as arcades, guided tours, theme parks, family entertainment centres, funfairs, zoos and aquariums).

business events (such as conferences, exhibitions, conventions, consumer/trade shows and other events and meetings)

outdoor events (including shows and fairs, with guidance provided for event organisers and local authorities)

hotels and other guest accommodation (such as self-catering accommodation, B&Bs, camping and caravan parks, hostels, holiday homes, boats and short-term lets), where there are relevant events and activities taking place in that facility. For guidance on everyday operations and running of hotels and guest accommodation, see the guidance for hotels and guest accommodation

This guidance does not cover:

performing arts venues such as theatres, concert halls and grassroots music venues (see the guidance for the performing arts)

sport facilities - see the separate guidance for indoor and outdoor sport facilities (including gyms, saunas and steam rooms)
How to use this guidance

You need to do a COVID-19 risk assessment to identify and manage any potential risks. This includes the risks and actions in this document, as well as any you identify that are specific to your business or site. You can find more information about COVID-19 risk assessments in the section on how to do a COVID-19 risk assessment.

This guidance gives you key principles to follow in relation to risks in the workplace for your sector, and suggests actions you should take to mitigate these risks. You should consider how best to mitigate these risks, and take the actions which are most appropriate for your organisation.

This guidance does not supersede any of your existing legal obligations relating to health and safety, employment or equalities.

This guidance applies to volunteers as well as employed staff.

You should follow the steps set out in this guidance as well as reviewing any relevant guidance produced for your sector (by trade bodies, industry bodies or other organisations in your sector). For example, you can find more detailed advice in the guidance for the hospitality sector from UKHospitality, which will be of interest to many organisations in the visitor economy sector which contain or work with hospitality facilities.

If there are any additional facilities within your premises (such as cafes and bars, personal care services, sport facilities or retail shops) or you are running certain types of events, there may be additional restrictions on those facilities or activities. For example, if you operate an outdoor event which includes a bar, you should also review the guidance for restaurants, pubs, bars and takeaway services, and the Events Industry Forum’s guidance for outdoor events. You should check the guidance for relevant facilities or events (you can find links in the section on where to find more information and ensure you adhere to any relevant measures.
If you have an incidence of coronavirus in your workplace, use Public Health England’s COVID-19 early outbreak management action cards, which provide key steps to quickly identify and contain any potential COVID-19 outbreaks.

See more information on outbreaks in the section on COVID-19 cases or outbreaks in the workplace.
Coronavirus restrictions
Coronavirus restrictions are currently in place in England. Find out about what you can and cannot do https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home
This page includes guidance on how to operate safely in Step 3 of the COVID-19 response roadmap This page includes guidance on how to operate safely in Step 3 of the COVID-19 response roadmap, including the changes which apply from 21 June. It will be updated ahead of further steps, which are set out in the roadmap., including the changes which apply from 21 June. It will be updated ahead of further steps, which are set out in the roadmap.
Key information for your sector
Venues and attractions

Visitor attractions and recreational venues can open both indoor and outdoor areas.
This includes:

Games and recreation facilities, such as bowling alleys, skating rinks, go-karting venues, laser quest, escape rooms, paintballing, indoor play and soft play centres and areas (including inflatable parks) and trampolining centres.
Water parks and theme parks.
Adventure parks and activities, such as ziplining.
Funfairs and fairgrounds.
Visitor attractions at film studios.
Drive-in events, such as for cinemas, theatres, and other performances.
Animal attractions at zoos, safari parks, aquariums, and wildlife centres.
Attractions such as botanical gardens, heritage homes and landmarks.
Most indoor and outdoor entertainment venues can open to the public.
This includes venues such as theatres, concert halls, cinemas, museums and galleries, casinos, arcades and bingo halls.
Events

Indoor and outdoor events can take place, but COVID-secure measures apply.

Events permitted from Step 3 (which include business events such as conferences and exhibitions, live performances, and sport events) should follow all COVID-secure guidance, adhere to all legal requirements, and take all reasonable action to mitigate risk to public health. An event cannot take place in Step 3 if it is unlikely that social distancing between groups of attendees can be maintained, or if other COVID-secure requirements cannot be met. This may be the case for events such as music festivals and carnivals.
Business meeting/event show-rounds, viewings and site visits (for the purpose of viewing the venue for a future booking) can take place at venues which are permitted to open at each step of the roadmap, or where a relevant exemption applies. In Step 3, this includes conference centres and exhibition halls (including conference centres located within hotels). Viewings of remaining closed venues can only take place from Step 4.
Capacity restrictions apply to both indoor events (1,000 people or 50% of a site or venue’s capacity, whichever is lower) and outdoor events (4,000 people or 50% of a site or venue’s capacity, whichever is lower).
Further guidance can be found in the sections for business meetings and events and other events and attractions, and in the organised events guidance for local authorities.
Tours and transport services

Where group sizes are referenced, people present in a work or volunteering capacity (such as coach drivers, tour guides and skippers) are not counted as part of a group.

Indoor and outdoor guided tours
Indoor and outdoor guided tours are permitted, but must operate within the legal gathering limits and follow COVID-secure guidance. Tours can be provided for a single permitted group of visitors (up to 30 people outdoors; up to 6 people or 2 households/bubbles indoors), or multiple permitted groups (of up to 30 people outdoors; groups of up to 6 people or 2 households/bubbles indoors) that are kept separate throughout the activity. You can find more information in the section on changes to operations.
Private hire coaches
Private hire coaches are permitted for a private group of a single household/bubble, and may also accommodate groups containing multiple households travelling together to the same destination or making the same journey (e.g. for the purposes of a leisure tour). This can only take place under certain conditions and where coaches operate in line with social contact limits, meaning that permitted groups (of 6 people or 2 households/bubbles) must be kept separate at all times whilst indoors on the tour. You can find more information in the section on changes to operations.
Heritage railway services
All heritage railway services are permitted to operate. This includes heritage railway services operating as public transport (journeys from point A to point B), as well as those provided primarily for dining or other recreational purposes, or for the carriage of passengers from the same start and end point. You can find more information in the section on changes to operations and the guidance on safer travel.
Private aircraft and hired self-fly aircraft
Private aircraft and hired self-fly aircraft are permitted for groups of up to 6 people or 2 household/bubbles. You can find more information in the guidance on safer travel, and guidance on international travel.
Self-drive boat-hire: day-hire
Self-drive day-hire of boats is permitted, within the legal gathering limits. There are different restrictions for different types of vessels. Boats which are open-air can be used within the legal gathering limits (by a group of up to 30 people). Boats which are enclosed can only be used by up to 6 people or 2 households/support bubbles. You can find more information in the section on changes to operations.
Self-drive boat-hire: holidays/overnight stays
Self-drive holiday-hire (where people make overnight stays) of boats is permitted for up to 6 people or 2 households/bubbles. You can find more information in the section on changes to operations.
Skippered boats
Skippered boats can operate within the legal gathering limits. There are different restrictions for different types of vessels. Boats which are open-air can be used by groups of up to 30 people, and multiple groups are permitted under certain circumstances. Where boats are partially or fully enclosed, people should only gather indoors within their group (up to 6 people or 2 households/bubbles) and groups should not mix. Multiple groups are permitted inside under some circumstances. You can find more information in the section on changes to operations.
Domestic cruises
Domestic cruises (departing from, and returning to, UK ports) can operate, with restrictions on capacity. They may operate beyond UK waters, but are restricted to UK port calls. Groups of more than 6 people or 2 households/bubbles will not be allowed to mix indoors, whether or not they originally booked in the same group. You can find more information in the guidance on domestic cruise ship travel and the UK Chamber of Shipping’s COVID-19 framework for operators.
Workplace testing

About 1 in 3 people with coronavirus do not have symptoms but can still infect others. You can reduce the risk of the virus spreading by asking your employees to get tested regularly. Employees can access testing free of charge at home or at a test site.

Those businesses that registered before 12 April 2021 can order free rapid lateral flow tests until 30 June 2021. Those that did not register can pay an approved provider to provide tests or run a test site. You can find further information in the section on testing and vaccinations and in the guidance on coronavirus tests for employees.
Other relevant measures
Social contact:

Outdoors, people can meet others from different households, though gatherings of more than 30 people remain illegal (unless an exemption applies).
Indoors, unless an exemption applies, people may only meet in groups of up to 6 people, or as a group of 2 households. A group made up of 2 households can include more than 6 people, but only where all members of the group are from the same 2 households (and each household can include an existing support bubble, if eligible).
You can find more information in the coronavirus restrictions guidance, and the section on working with the public.
Hospitality:

Hospitality venues such as restaurants, cafes and bars can open to the public for indoor and outdoor service (and can continue to offer takeaway food and drinks).
Restrictions apply, including measures on table sizes and how customers are served. Hospitality facilities also have additional NHS Test and Trace requirements.
You can find more information in the sections on hospitality and NHS Test and Trace, and the guidance for restaurants, pubs, bars and takeaway services.
Accommodation:

All holiday accommodation can open to the public for leisure stays. This includes hotels, hostels, B&Bs, camping and caravan sites, self-contained accommodation, and other types of accommodation that rely on sharing facilities (including facilities such as kitchens, sleeping areas, bathrooms and indoor communal areas such as lounges, sitting areas, and any lifts, staircases or internal corridors used to access the accommodation).
You can find more information in the guidance for hotels and guest accommodation, including advice on managing shared facilities within social contact limits in guest accommodation.
Overnight stays are restricted to permitted groups of up to 6 people or two households/bubbles.
Where reasonably necessary, there is an exception to this limit for residential visits organised by schools, colleges, further education and higher education providers, for educational or educational training purposes. You can find more information in the guidance for schools, further education colleges and providers and higher education providers.
This exemption also applies to out-of-school settings, which can organise residential visits in consistent groups of up to 30 children. You can find more information in the guidance for out-of-school settings.
Sport facilities can open to the public. This includes indoor and outdoor sport facilities, such as pitches, courts, golf and mini-golf courses, swimming pools, gyms and leisure centres. You should check the guidance for sport facilities and ensure you adhere to any relevant measures.
Retail shops and stores can open to the public. This includes clothing stores, charity and antique shops, homeware stores, showrooms (including for vehicles such as caravans), retail travel agents, auction houses and markets. This also includes betting shops, although they are subject to additional COVID-secure measures, such as limiting the use of gaming machines. You should check the guidance for retail shops, stores and branches and ensure you adhere to any relevant measures.
Personal care facilities and close contact services can open to the public. This includes salons (such as hair, beauty, tanning and nail salons), spas and massage centres, saunas and steam rooms, and holistic therapy (including acupuncture, homeopathy, and reflexology). You can find more information in the guidance for close contact services and the guidance for sport facilities (for saunas and steam rooms).
Weddings/civil partnerships and funerals: Weddings/civil partnerships, funerals and other life events can take place at venues that are open, however there are different measures you should follow for different types of event. You should check the guidance on weddings and civil partnerships and the guidance on funerals and ensure you follow any relevant measures. You can find more information in the section on other events and attractions.

Priority actions to take

When your venue is permitted to open, you should follow all the steps set out in this document in order for your workplace to be COVID-secure. The following key steps are a summary of the priority actions you need to take to protect yourself, your staff and your customers.
Complete a COVID-19 risk assessment, including consideration of the reasonable adjustments needed for staff and customers with disabilities. Share it with all your staff. You can find more information in the section on how to do a COVID-19 risk assessment.
Clean more often. Increase how often you clean surfaces, especially those that are being touched a lot. Ask your staff and your customers to use hand sanitiser and wash their hands frequently. You can find more information in the section on keeping the site clean.
Ask your customers to wear face coverings where required to do so by law, and in any indoor space. This is especially important if your customers are likely to be around people they do not normally meet. You can find more information in the section on face coverings and PPE, and more detail on face coverings and exemptions in the government guidance on face coverings.
Make sure everyone is social distancing. Make it easy for everyone to do so by putting up signs or introducing a one-way system that your customers can follow. You can find more information in the section on working with the public.
Provide adequate ventilation where people are in enclosed spaces. This can be natural ventilation (opening windows, doors and vents), mechanical ventilation (fans and ducts), or a combination of both. You can find more information in the section on ventilation and the HSE guidance on ventilation and air conditioning.
You must take part in NHS Test and Trace by keeping a record of all your customers, visitors and staff for 21 days. This is a legal requirement. Some exemptions apply. You can find more information in the section on NHS Test and Trace, and more detail on how to keep records in the NHS Test and Trace guidance.
Turn people with coronavirus symptoms away. If a staff member (or someone in their household) or a customer has a persistent cough, a high temperature or has lost their sense of taste or smell, they should self-isolate and get a test. You can find more information in the section on people who need to self-isolate.
Ensure customers are aware of the legal limits on group sizes. Check with customers on arrival who they are with and how many people will be attending. Put up signs to remind customers to interact only with their group. You can find more information in the section on working with the public.
Encourage contactless payments. Whenever possible, use online booking and pre-payment and ask for contactless payments. You can find more information in the section on minimising transmission through contact.
Consider how your business interacts with the local area, and avoid encouraging crowds. Limit risk by reducing queues on the street outside, staggering entry and exit times (within your venue and with other businesses nearby), and advise customers to avoid particular forms of transport at busy times or routes to avoid crowded areas. You can find more information in the section on capacity, queuing and avoiding crowds.

1. COVID-19 risks

1.1 How to do a Covid-19 risk assessment

Show Guidance
As an employer, you must protect people from harm. This includes taking reasonable steps to protect your workers and others from coronavirus. This is called a COVID-19 risk assessment and it will help you manage risk and protect people.

Failure to carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment and put in place sufficient control measures to manage the risk may be considered a breach of health and safety law.

While you cannot completely eliminate the risk of COVID-19, you need to think about the risks your staff and others face and do everything reasonably practicable to minimise them. Your risk assessment will help you decide whether you have done everything you need to.
How to do a COVID-19 risk assessment:

COVID-19 is a hazard in the workplace and should be managed in the same way as other workplace hazards. This includes completing a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks of COVID-19 in the workplace and identifying control measures to manage that risk. If you have fewer than 5 workers, or are self-employed, you don’t have to put your risk assessment in writing, but it can be useful to do so.

The Health and Safety Executive has published information on how to do a COVID-19 risk assessment, and you can also find more resources in their general advice on managing risk and risk assessments.

In your risk assessment you should:

• identify what work activity or situations might cause transmission of the virus
• think about who could be at risk
• decide how likely it is that someone could be exposed
• act to remove the activity or situation, or if this isn’t possible, control the risk

Your COVID-19 risk assessment should include an up-to-date plan for what you will do in the event of an outbreak in your workplace. This includes nominating a member of staff as the single point of contact (SPOC) who will contact local Public Health teams. You can find more information and resources on handling outbreaks in the section on COVID-19 cases or outbreaks in the workplace.

Your risk assessment should also take into account the impact of your policies on groups who have protected characteristics, and to those who are more at risk of being infected with COVID-19 or have a higher risk of serious illness. You can find more information in the section on protecting people at higher risk.
Consulting your workers

Employers have a duty to consult their workers on health and safety matters. You can do this by listening and talking to them about the work they do and how you will manage the risks from COVID-19.

You could consult the health and safety representative selected by a recognised trade union or, if there isn’t one, a representative chosen by workers. As an employer, you cannot decide who the representative will be.

Raising concerns:

Employers and workers should always come together to resolve issues.

If concerns still cannot be resolved, you or your workers can contact your employee representative, or your trade union if you have one.

You can also contact HSE’s COVID-19 enquiries team:

• online: working safely enquiry form
• telephone: 0300 790 6787 (Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm)

1.2 Key actions to include

As an employer, you have a duty to reduce workplace risk to the lowest reasonably practicable level by taking preventative measures. You should make sure your risk assessment includes the following key action areas, as well as any risks and issues specific to your organisation, so that everybody’s health and safety is protected.

Remember that a risk assessment is not a fixed document, and you should update it when risks change or new issues occur. You must also review the measures you have put in place to make sure they are working, if there are changes to the law or government guidance which affect your workplace, or if there are changes in the workplace that could lead to new risks.
Key points to consider in your risk assessment:
Ensure that workers, customers and visitors who feel unwell do not come to the workplace. By law, businesses must not require a self-isolating worker to work anywhere other than where they are self-isolating (normally their home). See the section on who should go to the workplace for more information.
Remind customers, visitors and staff to wear face coverings where they are required (e.g. by putting up signs). It is a legal requirement for staff and customers to wear face coverings in certain settings such as retail and hospitality venues, unless an exemption applies. In these settings, businesses also have a legal duty to remind people to wear face coverings. See the section on face coverings and PPE for more information.
Increase the frequency of cleaning for higher-risk areas (such as surfaces) and encourage frequent hand washing. See the section on managing your facility for more information.
Make every reasonable effort to ensure your staff can work safely. This includes consideration of reasonable adjustments for employees or customers with disabilities, including hidden disabilities that are not immediately obvious. This also includes following government guidance on whether staff should work from home. For those who can’t work from home, ensuring that COVID-secure guidance is closely followed in the workplace. See the section on who should go to the workplace for more information.
Ensure that people make every reasonable effort to comply with social distancing guidelines by maintaining 2 metres distance from others (or where 2m is not possible, at least 1m with additional control measures, such as wearing face coverings). Where social distancing guidelines cannot be followed in full for a particular activity, consider redesigning the activity or taking further steps (such as using fixed teams or putting up screens) to mitigate risk. See the section on managing your workforce for more information.
Assess the risk levels of relevant activities (and any mitigations you put in place), to determine whether the activities can safely go ahead. If a high-risk activity (such as working face-to-face for a sustained period) cannot be redesigned, consider whether the activity needs to continue for the business to operate and take all mitigating actions possible to reduce the risks. Nobody is obliged to work in an unsafe environment, so you should take steps to keep your staff safe and take into account the impact on people with higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19. See the section on managing your workforce for more information.
Consider the risks arising from periods of closure. If your building is unoccupied or has reduced occupancy during a period of restrictions, you should take steps to manage any risks that could arise when reopening (for example, by reviewing HSE’s guidance on the risk of legionella). See the section on reopening after a period of closure for more information.
Ensure you are providing adequate ventilation where people are in enclosed spaces. This can be natural ventilation (through opening doors, windows and vents), mechanical ventilation using fans and ducts, or a combination of both. You can find more information in the section on ventilation and the HSE guidance on ventilation and air conditioning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

1.3 How to share your risk assessment

You should share the results of your risk assessment to show your workers and customers that you have properly assessed the risk levels and taken appropriate mitigating measures.
What you should do:
share the results of your risk assessment with your workforce
if possible, consider publishing the results on your website (and we would expect all businesses with more than 50 staff to do so)
display the COVID-secure notice (below) in your workplace, to show you have followed this guidance
Download the COVID-secure notice (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/951736/staying-covid-19-secure-notice.pdf) for your workplace.

1.4 COVID-19 cases or outbreaks in the workplace

You should ensure you and any relevant staff (such as managers or supervisors) are aware of the steps to take if there is a case or outbreak of COVID-19 in your workplace.
What you should do:
Ensure you have an up-to-date plan setting out the steps to take if there is a COVID-19 outbreak in your workplace or facility. This includes designating a single point of contact (SPOC) who will lead on contacting local Public Health teams.
Contact your local PHE health protection team if you’ve had an outbreak and need further guidance. Find your local PHE health protection team. https://www.gov.uk/health-protection-team
If the local PHE health protection team declares an outbreak, you will be asked to record details of symptomatic staff and assist with identifying contacts. You should therefore ensure all employment records are up to date. You will be provided with information about the outbreak management process, which will help you to implement control measures, assist with communications to staff, and reinforce prevention messages.

1.5 NHS Test and Trace

Show Guidance
The rules on what you need to do when a group enters your venue have changed.

If this applies to your facility, you must ask every customer or visitor aged 16 and over to scan the NHS QR code using their NHS COVID-19 app or provide their name and contact details, not just a lead member of the group. This is to ensure everyone receives the necessary public health advice in a timely manner.

Hospitality facilities (including restaurants, cafes or bars within other types of venue) are legally required to refuse entry to those who refuse to check in or provide their contact details.

You can find more information in the guidance on NHS Test and Trace. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/maintaining-records-of-staff-customers-and-visitors-to-support-nhs-test-and-trace
Many businesses in the visitor economy are required to keep a record of all visitors, customers and staff on the premises, to support NHS Test and Trace.

This applies to venues in the tourism, leisure and hospitality sectors, including:

• amusement arcades
• casinos, betting shops and bingo halls
• museums and galleries
• cinemas
• public libraries
• art fairs

This also applies to related sectors, which have separate guidance:

• guidance for hotels and other guest accommodation https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/hotels-and-other-guest-accommodation

• guidance for close contact services (including hairdressers, tailors, beauticians and massage therapists)
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/close-contact-services

• guidance for heritage locations and attractions open to the public (including castles, stately homes and other historic houses)
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/heritage-locations

• guidance for hospitality facilities, including pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/restaurants-offering-takeaway-or-delivery

If this applies to your facility, you need to keep these records for 21 days and make them available when requested by NHS Test and Trace or local public health officials, to help contain clusters or outbreaks. You must also display an official NHS QR code poster so that customers and visitors can ‘check in’ using this option as an alternative to providing their contact details.

This is a legal requirement and failure to comply is punishable by fines. You can find more information in the guidance on NHS Test and Trace. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/maintaining-records-of-staff-customers-and-visitors-to-support-nhs-test-and-trace
What you must do:
Ask at least one member of every party of customers or visitors (up to 6 people) to provide their name and contact details.
Keep a record of all staff working on your premises and shift times on a given day, and their contact details.
Keep these records of customers, visitors and staff for 21 days and provide data to NHS Test and Trace if requested.
Display an official NHS QR code poster, so that customers and visitors can ‘check in’ using this option, as an alternative to providing their contact details. However, you must still have a system to collect (and securely store) names and contact details for those who do not have access to a smartphone.
Ensure you manage this information in line with data protection regulations.
This is a legal requirement and failure to comply is punishable by fines. You can find out more about these requirements in the NHS Test and Trace guidance. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/maintaining-records-of-staff-customers-and-visitors-to-support-nhs-test-and-trace

1.6 Who should go to the workplace

Anyone who can work from home should do so. Those who cannot work from home are permitted to go to their place of work.

You should review your business or facility management plans and consult your employees to determine who needs to come into the workplace, giving extra consideration to those people at higher risk.
What you should do:
Consider the maximum number of people who can be safely accommodated on the site.
Monitor the wellbeing of staff who are working from home and help them to stay connected to the rest of the workforce, especially if the majority of their colleagues are on-site.
Keep in touch with off-site workers on their working arrangements, including their welfare, physical and mental health and personal security.
Provide equipment to allow staff to work from home safely and effectively, such as remote access to work systems. Consider how best to account for different types of needs, including the needs of people with disabilities.

1.7 Protecting people who are at higher risk

There are some groups who are at higher risk of severe illness from coronavirus. If employees are in these groups, they may be advised to follow additional measures. See guidance on who is at higher risk from coronavirus.

Clinically extremely vulnerable people are at high risk of severe illness from coronavirus, so at times may be advised to take additional steps to protect themselves. Government advice is that clinically extremely vulnerable people no longer need to shield, and should follow the general coronavirus restrictions which apply to everyone.

However, clinically extremely vulnerable people are advised to continue to take extra precautions to protect themselves. The guidance on protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable sets out practical steps they can take to minimise their risk of exposure to the virus.

Clinically vulnerable people are at moderate risk of severe illness from coronavirus. They should take additional care to follow the relevant guidance in their area, including any specific measures for clinically vulnerable people. You should consider this in your risk assessment, and look at how best to support staff in these groups.
What you should do:
See current guidance on who is at higher risk from coronavirus, and ensure that you are aware of any specific measures for people who are clinically vulnerable or clinically extremely vulnerable.
Provide support to staff who are clinically extremely vulnerable, and consider options for altering work arrangements if they are advised not to come into the workplace.
Provide mental health and wellbeing support for workers. This could include advice or telephone support.

1.8 People who need to self-isolate

All businesses are prohibited from requiring self-isolating workers to come into work.

If you are made aware of a worker needing to self-isolate, you must ensure that they do not come to the workplace. It is against the law for you to knowingly require or encourage someone who is required to self-isolate to come to the workplace. This includes people with a positive test, people who are advised to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace or the NHS COVID-19 app, and people required to self-isolate in relation to travel.
What you should do:
Ensure workers who are required to self-isolate do not come into the workplace.
Enable staff to work from home while self-isolating, if appropriate.
Ensure you and your staff are familiar with the symptoms of COVID-19 (a high temperature, new and persistent cough, or a loss of/change in sense of taste or smell) and what they should do if they develop symptoms or are required to isolate.
Review guidance for employers and employees on statutory sick pay due to coronavirus.
You can find more information in the guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection, for contacts of people with confirmed coronavirus infection who do not live with the person, and what to do if you’re told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace or the NHS COVID-19 app.

1.9 Equality in the workplace

When you are applying this guidance, you should be mindful of the particular needs of different groups of workers or individuals. For instance, employers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments to avoid disabled workers being put at a disadvantage compared to non-disabled people in the workplace.

It is breaking the law to discriminate, directly or indirectly, against anyone because of a protected characteristic such as age, ethnicity, sex or disability.

Employers also have particular responsibilities towards disabled workers and those who are new or expectant mothers.
What you should do:
Take steps to understand the particular circumstances of those with different protected characteristics, and take them into account in your working safely policies.
Involve and communicate appropriately with staff whose protected characteristics might either expose them to a different degree of risk, or might make any steps you are thinking about inappropriate or challenging for them.
Measures such as social distancing may not be possible or will be more challenging for workers with certain disabilities, such as individuals in wheelchairs or with vision impairments. You should discuss with disabled employees what reasonable adjustments can be made to the workplace so they can work safely.
Consider whether you need to put in place any particular measures or adjustments to take account of your duties under the equalities legislation.
Make reasonable adjustments to avoid disabled staff being put at a disadvantage, and assess the health and safety risks for new or expectant mothers.
Make sure that the steps you take do not have an unjustifiable negative impact on some groups compared to others, for example, those with caring responsibilities or those with religious commitments.

1.10 Testing and vaccinations

It’s important that you continue to put measures in place to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, including maintaining social distancing, frequent cleaning, good hygiene and adequate ventilation, even if your employees have:

• received a recent negative test result
• had the vaccine (either 1 or 2 doses)

Where you are providing testing on-site, you should ensure that workplace testing is carried out in a safe manner, and in an appropriate setting where control measures are in place to manage the risk of COVID-19 transmission during the testing process. These include maintaining social distancing where possible, frequent cleaning, good hygiene and adequate ventilation. You should also ensure that an appropriate setting is available for individuals to wait in while their test is processed.

You can also order rapid lateral flow tests, to test employees with no coronavirus symptoms. The test kits are entirely free of charge until 30 June 2021 for businesses that register by 12 April.

Anyone with symptoms should get a free NHS test as soon as possible.
Ordering COVID-19 tests for employees with no coronavirus symptoms

You can register to order tests if:

• your business is registered in England
• your employees cannot work from home

Register and order COVID-19 tests for your employees https://www.gov.uk/get-workplace-coronavirus-tests

Free test kits will be available until the end of June. However, your organisation must register interest by 12 April (even if you are currently closed and want to receive them at a later date). After this date, businesses will still be able to access tests through private providers and community testing sites.

2. Managing operations

2.1 Changes to operations

Show Guidance
Measures to control the infection rate may restrict your operations, including whether you can open and how people can use your venue. Enforcement action can be taken against businesses or organisations that do not comply with the law. You can find more information on compliance and enforcement in the guidance on closing certain businesses and venues in England. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close/closing-certain-businesses-and-venues-in-england
Business operations and closures

Visitor attractions and recreational venues can open indoor and outdoor areas. This applies to:

Games and recreation facilities, such as bowling alleys, skating rinks, go-karting venues, laser quest, escape rooms, paintballing, indoor play and soft play centres and areas (including inflatable parks) and trampolining centres.
Water parks and theme parks.
Adventure parks and activities, such as ziplining.
Funfairs and fairgrounds.
Visitor attractions at film studios.
Drive-in events, such as for cinemas, theatres, and other performances.
Animal attractions at zoos, safari parks, aquariums, and wildlife centres.
Attractions such as botanical gardens, heritage homes and landmarks.
Most indoor and outdoor entertainment venues can open to the public. This includes venues such as theatres, concert halls, cinemas, museums and galleries, casinos, arcades and bingo halls.

Indoor and outdoor events can take place, but COVID-secure measures apply. Capacity caps should be applied to both indoor events (1,000 people or 50% of a site or venue’s capacity, whichever is lower) and outdoor events (4,000 people or 50% of a site or venue’s capacity, whichever is lower). You can find more information in the sections on business meetings and events, and other events and attractions, and in the organised events guidance for local authorities.
Tours and transport services:

Guided Tours

Indoor and outdoor guided tours are permitted but must operate within the legal gathering limits and follow COVID-secure guidance. Tours can be provided for a single permitted group of visitors (up to 30 people outdoors; up to 6 people or 2 households/bubbles indoors), or multiple permitted groups (each group can be up to 30 people outdoors, or up to 6 people or 2 households/bubbles indoors) that are kept separate throughout the activity.
People present in a work/volunteer capacity, such as the tour guide, are not counted as part of a group.
Private hire coach tours

Private hire coach tours are permitted for a private group of a single household/bubble. Private hire coaches may also accommodate multiple groups travelling together to the same destination or making the same journey (e.g. for a leisure tour) if the coach tour is organised by a business/organisation following COVID-secure guidance, including a full risk assessment.
Social contact limits must be adhered to, meaning that individual groups of up to 6 people or 2 households/bubbles must be kept separate at all times whilst indoors on the tour. People must not mix in groups larger than 30 for any elements of the tour that are outdoors.
Operators should ensure that groups do not gather unlawfully and take reasonable steps to ensure that people are socially distanced from those they do not live with. Passengers must wear face coverings and should wash or sanitise their hands at the start and the end of their journey. The coach should be well-ventilated with fresh air and any other necessary mitigations should be put in place to ensure the coach is COVID-secure.
People present in a work/volunteer capacity, such as the coach driver and tour guide, are not counted as part of a group.
You can find more information in the guidance on safer travel for operators.
Heritage railway services

All heritage railway services can operate. This includes heritage railway services operating as public transport (journeys from point A to point B), as well as those provided primarily for dining or other recreational purposes, or for the carriage of passengers from the same start and end point.
Heritage railway services which operate as public transport must follow all relevant public transport measures, including face covering requirements and following social distancing guidance. You can find more information in the guidance on safer travel for operators.
Services are permitted for a private group of a single household/bubble. Multiple groups are permitted, provided the heritage railway service is organised by a business/organisation following COVID-secure guidance, including a full risk assessment.
People present in a work/volunteer capacity, such as a driver or tour guide, are not counted as part of a group.
You can find more information in the guidance on safer travel.
Private aircraft and hired self-fly aircraft

Private aircraft and hired self-fly aircraft are permitted for use by groups of up to 6 people or 2 households/bubbles.
Multiple groups are permitted if the private aircraft and hired self-fly aircraft service is organised by a business/organisation following COVID-secure guidance, including a full risk assessment.
People present in a work/volunteer capacity, such as the pilot, are not counted as part of a group.
You can find more information in the guidance on safer travel and guidance on international travel.
Self-drive boats - day-hire

Self-drive day-hire of boats is permitted within the legal gathering limits. There are different restrictions for different types of vessel. Boats which are open-air can be used by a group of up to 30 people. Boats which are enclosed can only be used by a group of up to 6 people or 2 households/bubbles.
Self-drive boats - holiday-hire (overnight stays)

Self-drive holiday-hire of boats (where people make overnight stays) is permitted, for a group of up to 6 people or 2 households/bubbles.
Skippered boats

Skippered boats can operate within the legal gathering limits. There are different restrictions for different types of vessel.
Boats which are open-air can be used by groups of up to 30 people. Multiple groups are permitted if the boat tour is organised by a business/organisation following COVID-secure guidance, including a full risk assessment.
Where boats are partially or fully enclosed, the legal gathering limits (groups of up to 6 people or 2 households/bubbles) apply to indoor areas. People should only gather indoors within their group (up to 6 people or 2 households/bubbles) and groups should not mix. Multiple groups (of up to 6 people or 2 households/bubbles) are permitted inside, if the boat tour is organised by a business/organisation following COVID-secure guidance, including a full risk assessment.
Operators should take steps to ensure that people adhere to legal gathering limits, and that social distancing can be maintained between people who do not live together or share a bubble.
People present in a work/volunteer capacity, such as the skipper, are not counted as part of a group.
Domestic cruises (departing from, and returning to, UK ports)

Domestic cruises can operate, with restrictions on capacity. Domestic cruises can operate for up to 1,000 people or 50% capacity, whichever is lower. This capacity limit applies to passengers only. Groups of more than 6 people or 2 households/bubbles will not be allowed to mix indoors, whether or not they originally booked in the same group.
Domestic cruises may operate beyond UK waters, but are restricted to UK port calls. COVID-secure guidance applies.
You can find more information in the guidance on domestic cruise travel and the UK Chamber of Shipping’s COVID-19 framework for operators.
Travel and overnight stays

There are no restrictions on domestic travel, though people should continue to follow guidance on travelling safely. People are encouraged to walk or cycle rather than use public transport where possible. Private vehicles can be used, within the legal gathering limits.
All holiday accommodation (including hotels, hostels, B&Bs and other types of accommodation that rely on sharing facilities) can open to the public for leisure stays. Social contact limits should be observed whilst using shared facilities. You can find more information in the guidance for hotels and guest accommodation, including advice on managing shared facilities within guest accommodation.
People can travel outside their local area or to other areas and stay overnight in hotels and other holiday accommodation, in groups of up to 6 people or 2 households/bubbles. Different rules apply to visits organised by education providers and out-of-school settings. You can find more information in the guidance for hotels and guest accommodation.
Overnight stays in other people’s houses are permitted, within the legal gathering limits (groups of up to 6 people or 2 households/bubbles).
There are no longer any restrictions on leaving England to travel internationally, however people are advised not to travel to countries or territories on the red or amber lists. You can find more information on current measures in the guidance on safer travel and international travel advice.

2.2 Changes to facilities and services

Show Guidance
Measures to control the infection rate may restrict the facilities or services your venue can provide. If you deliver a mix of services, only those services that are permitted to be open should be available. This could mean, for example, that your venue can open (where permitted) but some facilities within it must stay closed.
The following measures currently apply:

Sport facilities can open to the public. This includes indoor and outdoor sport facilities, such as pitches, courts, golf and mini-golf courses, gyms and leisure centres. You should check the guidance for sport facilities and ensure you adhere to any relevant measures.

Indoor and outdoor swimming pools can open to the public, but indoor water slides should remain closed until Step 3 (no earlier than 17 May) when indoor water parks reopen. Changing rooms can open but their use should be discouraged. You should inform customers that these are areas of increased risk, that they should shower and change at home where possible, and, if they do need to use changing rooms, they should minimise time spent inside. You can find more information in the guidance for sport facilities.

Personal care facilities and close contact services can open to the public. This includes salons (such as hair, beauty, tanning and nail salons), spas and massage centres, and holistic therapy (including acupuncture, homeopathy, and reflexology). Saunas and steam rooms must remain closed at Step 2, but can open to the public in Step 3 (no earlier than 17 May). You can find more information in the guidance for close contact services and the guidance for sport facilities (for saunas and steam rooms).

Retail: non-essential retail can open to the public. This applies to retail shops, stores and branches, including: clothing stores, charity and antique shops, homeware stores, showrooms (such as for vehicles which would include caravans), retail travel agents, auction houses and markets, and betting shops (subject to additional COVID-secure measures, such as limiting the use of gaming machines).

Hospitality: currently, hospitality facilities can open to the public for outdoor service. From Step 3 (no earlier than 17 May), hospitality venues can open to the public for indoor and outdoor service. Restrictions apply to how hospitality facilities can operate, including table service for some venues. You can find more information in the section on hospitality.

2.3 Hospitality (food and drinks) in visitor economy settings

Show Guidance
There are restrictions on hospitality facilities that will apply to any relevant facilities (such as bars, pubs, restaurants and cafes) within your venue. There are also restrictions on how you provide food and drink to guests in other settings, teas and coffees in business meetings.
Hospitality facilities

Hospitality venues such as restaurants, cafes and bars can open to the public for indoor and outdoor service.
Tables should be limited to groups of up to 6 people or 2 households/bubbles indoors, and up to 30 people outdoors (unless an exemption applies). Tables must be arranged to allow social distancing (2m, or 1m+ with risk mitigation where 2m is not viable) to be maintained between groups of customers.
A business that sells alcohol for consumption on the premises must provide table service only. This means that all food and drink (whether or not alcoholic) must be ordered by, and served to, seated customers. The business must take all reasonable steps to ensure that customers remain seated while consuming food or drink on the premises.
A business that does not sell alcohol for consumption on the premises does not need to provide table service. However, it must take all reasonable steps to ensure that customers remain seated while consuming food or drink on the premises.
Hospitality venues may continue to provide takeaway food and drinks. Customers should not consume takeaway food and drink on the premises or adjacent to the premises.
You should check the guidance for restaurants, pubs, bars and takeaway services, and ensure you adhere to any relevant measures.
Catering and hospitality

Catering can be provided at meetings and permitted events, such as business events and private dining.

You should ensure that food and drinks can be consumed in line with safety and social distancing requirements. Arrange specific areas for food and drink provision such as lunches, teas and coffees (serve catering in the room where the meeting is taking place if possible, otherwise in a specific designated area), encourage visitors consume food and drink while seated, manage visitors to avoid crowding (for example, by organising delegates into groups), and arrange seating and tables to allow for social distancing (2m, or 1m with risk mitigation where 2m is not viable) to be maintained, where possible. You should also use clear messaging on when face coverings should be worn. You can find more information in the section on face coverings and PPE.

Business meetings in hospitality venues: if delegates are moving to a restaurant area for catering, or are having a working meeting in a restaurant or other hospitality venue, the rules on hospitality provision at each step of the roadmap apply. You should follow the guidance for restaurants, bars, pubs and takeaway services, including any relevant measures such as table service requirements and providing clear messaging on the wearing of face coverings. Managing staggered entry and exit out of rooms, and staggered lunch or break times, is advised.

These rules allow the provision of catering and hospitality for business, work, education and training purposes. They do not extend to activities that are social in nature. If a permitted meeting or event changes into a primarily social gathering, it can only take place within the wider social contact and indoor hospitality restrictions (in groups of up to 6 people or 2 households/bubbles indoors, or up to 30 people outdoors).
Indoor private dining events

Private dining events for social purposes are only permitted within the legal gathering limits. People can attend in groups of up to 6 people or 2 households/bubbles indoors, or groups of up to 30 people outdoors. Those participating in gatherings in breach of these rules could be fined, as could any hospitality premises hosting such a gathering.

Indoor private dining events are permitted in larger numbers where they are organised by a business, charitable organisation, sporting or public body, and where they follow all relevant COVID-secure guidance and legal requirements. This could include events such as charity or gala dinners and awards ceremonies, and corporate hospitality.

Indoor private dining events should follow the guidance for restaurants, bars, pubs and takeaway services. Event organisers should ensure, in particular, that:

Attendance is capped at 1,000 people, or 50% of a site or venue’s capacity (whichever is lower).
Tables are spaced to ensure that social distancing can be maintained (2m, or 1m with risk mitigation such as barriers between tables where 2m is not viable).
Attendees are in groups of no more than 6 people, or 2 households/bubbles, and do not mix with any other groups at the event.
Seating is assigned and carefully controlled to ensure attendees do not mix with any other table, including approaching other tables or sitting at different tables.
Food and drink is consumed by attendees while they are seated.
Attendees wear face coverings whenever not seated at their table.
Hospitality in multi-purpose entertainment venues

Indoor entertainment is permitted in venues which are open. This includes venues such as theatres, cinemas and concert halls, and includes performance/screening areas within the premises of another venue such as a pub, hotel or holiday park. All performing arts activity should take place in line with performing arts guidance.

Theatres, concert halls and cinemas are exempt from the requirements to provide table service to audience members who have a ticket and are planning to consume the food or drink in the auditorium (or area of the venue where the performance / screening is taking place). Kiosks and concession stands can serve food and drinks to customers who can take these back to their seats.

However, food and drink (including alcohol) must be consumed whilst seated in the auditorium (or area of the venue where the performance or screening is taking place). Venues should take steps to reduce queues for ordering, ensuring social distancing can be maintained at all times.

This exemption extends to performance/screening areas within the premises of another venue such as a pub, hotel or holiday park. The exemption only applies to the specific performance/screening area, which must therefore be separate and distinct from the wider premises. The activity must be ticketed, and venues must have all relevant approvals and authorisations (e.g. licensing or planning) from the local authority.

This means for example that a separate, standalone function room in a hotel could serve as a concert hall if:

i. it is set aside and designated for that purpose;

ii. attendees are ticketed; and

iii. the venue has the necessary authorisations for hosting live music or performances.

However, a concert performance in a hotel lobby or working restaurant would not be exempt by law as it is not a separate and distinct space, meaning that any alcohol would need to be provided via table service.

You can find more information on hospitality measures in the guidance for restaurants, bars, pubs and takeaway services.
It is a legal requirement for staff and customers to wear face coverings in some settings like retail, leisure and hospitality venues (unless they have a valid reason not to wear one, such as a medical exemption).

Where this applies, businesses also have a legal duty to remind people to wear face coverings. You can find more information in the section on face coverings and PPE https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/the-visitor-economy#sec-6

2.4 Business meetings and events

If your venue is or contains a conference centre or other meeting facilities, it is permitted to open within the restrictions set out at each step of the roadmap.
Show Guidance
Business meetings and events - key information

In-person meetings for work, training or education purposes should only take place where they cannot be delayed or reasonably be conducted remotely, and the venue can demonstrate it has followed COVID-secure guidance. Social distancing should be maintained between people who do not live together or share a bubble, wherever possible.

Permitted venues (including conference centres and exhibition halls) may host business events such as conferences, trade shows, exhibitions, charity auctions, private dining events such as charity or gala dinners and awards ceremonies, and corporate hospitality. Events permitted from Step 3 should follow all COVID-secure guidance, adhere to all legal requirements, and take all reasonable action to mitigate risk to public health.

Events at Step 3 should have caps on attendance:

Indoor events: 1,000 people or 50% of a site or venue’s capacity (whichever is lower).
Outdoor events: 4,000 people or 50% of a site or venue’s capacity (whichever is lower).
Capacity restrictions should be adhered to at any point throughout the event. For example, a business event can admit over 1,000 people in a single day, but no more than 1,000 people at one time.
Multi-day events are permitted. If an event runs over the course of multiple days, no more than 1,000 people should be admitted at any one time over that period.
If a single venue hosts multiple different events at one time, and the attendees of each event are separated for the duration of the event (for example, an exhibition centre hosting multiple business events), the 50% capacity cap will apply to each individual event, rather than the venue.
Capacity limits refer to the event attendees only. Staff, workers and volunteers are covered by the work exemption so should not be counted as part of the capacity cap. This includes contractors, administrators, delivery staff, operational teams (such as reception, maintenance, cleaning security & stewarding and ticketing staff), caterers and concession stand staff, presentation/production teams, exhibitors, speakers, musicians and performers.
The legal gathering limits apply to attendees at business events. People can attend in a group of up to 6 people or 2 households/bubbles at indoor events, or in a group of up to 30 people at outdoor events. They must not mix with people from outside these groups (unless an exemption applies).

People can attend business events in larger groups if it is reasonably necessary for work purposes that everyone in the group attends together. However, in those circumstances, people are still encouraged to attend either alone or in groups as small as possible, and must avoid mixing and switching between groups. Organisers should ensure that people can maintain social distancing from people they do not live with (or share a bubble with), wherever possible.

These measures are intended to allow the measured reopening of the business events sector, in order to allow activity such as business-to-business engagement or business-to-consumer trade. As people should still work from home where possible, we encourage businesses not to hold business events for the purposes of gathering staff if it is not essential (such as optional staff away days).

Catering can be provided at meetings and permitted events, such as business events and private dining. You can find more information in the section on hospitality.
What you should do:
Assess the capacity of the venue/site to determine whether the capacity cap of 50% or the relevant number cap applies. This assessment must determine the numbers the venue can safely accommodate to enable social distancing within any space. This will vary depending on layout or usage and ventilation. This will require taking into account the total floorspace of the area where the event is being held, as well as pinch points and busy areas. Where a building is mixed-use, for example a conference hall inside a hotel or museum, the capacity of the area where the event is taking place should be calculated rather than the capacity of the entire venue.
Consider pre-attendance screening, and prevent people attending if they have symptoms of COVID-19 (or a positive test) or have recently had any contact with someone positive or symptomatic, or have been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace.
Ensure customers are aware of any restrictions and safety measures in place, for example when booking or registering.
Review meeting rooms and seating areas to ensure they allow social distancing. Space out chairs and tables to meet social distancing requirements, and discourage close face-to-face interaction between guests. Any auditorium or theatre-style seating at conferences and other large events should follow the principle for audience seating in the guidance for performing arts venues.
Use signs and floor markings where needed, to highlight social distancing requirements, and direct staff to bathrooms and shared facilities. Ensure that social distancing measures are in place not just where the meeting is being conducted, but also entrances and exits, break rooms, canteens and similar settings.
Ensure that meeting rooms are cleaned thoroughly between users and the frequent touch points such as door handles and surfaces are continuously kept clean through an event. Minimize the use of shared objects, such as pens and paper.
Consider ways to manage groups of visitors, for example splitting delegates into smaller groups to manage entry and exit (colour-coding groups can help with routes and signage) and staggered lunch or break times.
Consider providing (or recommending the purchase of) name tags and a badge holder for business cards, to avoid the exchange of business cards.
Where hospitality is permitted, ensure that food and drinks can be consumed in line with safety and social distancing requirements. Arrange specific areas for food and drink provision such as lunches, teas and coffees (serve catering in the room where the meeting is taking place if possible, otherwise in a specific designated area), ensure visitors consume food and drink while seated, manage visitors to avoid crowding (for example, by organising delegates into groups), and arrange seating and tables to maintain social distancing guidelines (2m, or 1m with risk mitigation where 2m is not viable) between customers of different households or support bubbles. You should also use clear messaging on when face coverings should be worn. You can find more information in the sections on hospitality (food and drinks) in visitor economy settings, and face coverings and PPE.
Avoid situations which encourage people to raise their voices, as this increases transmission risk. Where possible, do not play music or broadcasts, or lower the volume so that it does not make normal conversation difficult. Where possible, use microphones (cleaned between users) for communicating to larger groups. You can also use static microphones (rather than roving microphones which are passed between people) for delegates to ask questions, which should be cleaned between users. Consider providing disposable cleaning wipes and a bin, so that delegates can clean the microphone after their own use. Speakers should wear face coverings when presenting and speaking where possible, and speak at least 2m from attendees. Microphones and podiums should be cleaned between speakers.
Hold meetings outdoors whenever possible, or in rooms where there is good ventilation through opening doors, windows and vents, mechanical ventilation (such as air conditioning) or a combination of these factors. Purging (airing) rooms by opening all the doors and windows fully will maximise the ventilation in a room. Where possible, do this regularly throughout the day (preferably when the room is unoccupied). You can find more information in the section on ventilation and guidance from the Health and Safety Executive on ventilation and air conditioning.
Encourage contactless payments where possible.
Consider the cumulative impact of many venues reopening in a small area. This means working with local authorities, neighbouring businesses, travel operators and Local Transport Authorities to assess this risk and applying additional mitigations. These could include: - Further lowering capacity - even if it is possible to safely seat a number of people inside a venue, it may not be safe for them all to travel or enter that venue. - Staggering entry times with other venues and taking steps to avoid queues building up in surrounding areas. - Arranging one-way travel routes between transport hubs and venues. - Advising patrons to avoid particular forms of transport or routes and to avoid crowded areas when in transit to the venue.

2.5 Other events and attractions (outdoor events, weddings, funerals)

Show Guidance
Organised outdoor events

Outdoor events organised by a business, charity, public body or similar organisation, are permitted. This could include events and activities such as:

business events (see the section on business meetings and events for further detail)
cinemas
live performances
circuses
air shows
historical / battle reenactments
live animal performances (such as falconry displays) at events
non-elite and professional sporting events
Event organisers will need to follow the relevant COVID-secure guidance for their event; adhere to all legal requirements; and take all reasonable steps to limit the risk of transmission. This includes taking reasonable steps to ensure that visitors adhere to legal gathering limits, People can attend outdoor events and gather outdoors in groups of up to 30. Gatherings of more than 30 people remain illegal (unless an exemption applies).
Capacity caps should be applied:

Outdoor events can take place for up to 4,000 people or 50% of a site or venue’s capacity (whichever is lower).
In outdoor venues with a seated capacity of over 16,000, events can take place for up to 10,000 people or 25% of the site or venue’s seated capacity (whichever is lower).
For events with mixed seating and standing areas (such as live music events), the capacity cap will be calculated as 25% of seated capacity, irrespective of any standing capacity. All audience members admitted under this provision should be seated and should not access the venue’s standing capacity to view the event.
Capacity caps must be adhered to at any point throughout the event. For example, an outdoor theatre can admit over 4,000 people in a single day, but no more than 4,000 people at one time.
If an event runs over the course of multiple days, no more than 4,000 people should be admitted at any one time over that period.
These capacity caps refer to the event attendees only. Staff, workers and volunteers are not counted as part of the capacity limit. This includes contractors, administrators, delivery staff, operational teams (such as reception, maintenance, cleaning security & stewarding and ticketing staff), caterers and concession stand staff, presentation or production teams, and exhibitors, speakers, musicians and performers.
Where relevant, audiences should be arranged so that they can adhere to legal gathering limits (groups of up to 30 people outdoors, and up to 6 people or 2 households/bubbles indoors), and that relevant groups do not mix. Where possible, seating should allow people in the same group who do not live together to maintain social distancing.
Local authorities

Local authorities are responsible for permitting or prohibiting organised outdoor events from taking place in their local area, within the framework the government has provided for permitting events at each step of the roadmap. Decisions should be made on a case-by-case basis, with consideration given to both the risks and the mitigations in place, as well as the economic and social benefits that events offer to local communities. Local authorities should not issue blanket bans on permitted events, and should assess each event in discussion with the organiser, based on the COVID-secure guidance and relevant government restrictions in place at the time. Any refusal by a local authority to permit an event should be based on clear evidence that points to inadequate alignment with guidance or government restrictions, or to the absence of a comprehensive risk assessment.

You can find more information in the organised events guidance for local authorities.
Appeals

There is an appeals process for events organisers, should a local authority reject an application for an event. If a local authority does not permit an event, the Direction must contain details of the routes open to challenge it. There are two routes - one is to lay a complaint before the magistrates’ court and the second is to submit representations to the Secretary of State (directionnotification@dhsc.gov.uk).

More information on each of these routes can be found in the guidance on local authority powers to impose restrictions.
Organised outdoor event planning

This guidance provides a quick reference guide for those organising outdoor events such as air shows, agricultural shows, carnivals, funfairs, fetes, steam rallies, community fairs, car boot sales, firework displays, flower shows, gardening events, historical re-enactment events, literature fairs, animal and pet shows. It is not intended to replace full guidance and you should also read the full version of the relevant guidance depending on the type of event. This could include outdoor events, funfairs, performing arts or elite sport events.
What you should do:
Complete a COVID-19 risk assessment. This is a legal requirement. Take into account emergency situations and any security risks. Share it with all your staff. You can find guidance in the section on how to do a risk assessment and in relevant guidance on outdoor events, funfairs, performing arts or elite sport. Keep it up-to-date as guidance and public health risks may change.
Consult your local authority as early as possible. The earlier you do this, the more time you are providing to secure agreement for your event to proceed and any relevant licenses to be issued. Your local authority will review your risk assessment and can give you advice on how to manage your event whilst reducing risks to the local area. Find out if the local authority intends to convene a Safety Advisory Group (SAG) and how best to engage with this. If they do not intend to convene a SAG, contact the local Director of Public Health to discuss the event and whether any additional assurances are needed. Even when all necessary permissions are granted, your local authority can consider prohibiting, restricting or imposing requirements if they consider an event a serious and imminent threat to public health - so a good two-way channel of communication is essential. You can find relevant links and resources in the section on where to find more information.
Engage with neighbouring businesses, transport operators and local transport authorities to assess any risks to the local area of increased visitors from other locations and potentially apply additional mitigations.
Clean more often. Increase how often you clean surfaces, especially those that are being touched a lot. Ask your staff and your customers to use hand sanitiser and wash their hands frequently.
Ask your customers to wear face coverings in any indoor space or where required to do so by law. That is especially important if your customers are likely to be around people they do not normally meet. Some exemptions apply. Check when to wear one, exemptions, and how to make your own. You can find more information in the section on face coverings and PPE.
Make sure everyone is social distancing. Make it easy for everyone to do so by putting up signs or introducing a one way system that your customers can follow and considering whether extra marshals are required to enforce this. You can find more information in the section on minimising transmission through contact.
Ensure that customers adhere to social distancing guidance and legal gathering limits. Put up signs to remind customers to maintain social distancing. You can find out more information in the sections on working with the public and minimising transmission through contact.
Increase ventilation in enclosed structures such as marquees, for example by lifting or removing side walls or using fans to circulate fresh air.
Support NHS Test and Trace by keeping a record of all your customers, visitors and staff for 21 days and displaying an official NHS QR code poster. You can find out more information in the section on NHS Test and Trace, and the guidance on maintaining records to support NHS Test and Trace for details.
Turn people with coronavirus symptoms away. If a staff member (or someone in their household) or a customer has a persistent cough, a high temperature or has lost their sense of taste or smell, they should be isolating.
You should also read the full version of the relevant guidance depending on the type of event. This could include outdoor events, funfairs, performing arts or elite sport events.
Show - Weddings/civil partnerships and funerals
Weddings, civil partnerships and funerals can take place. However, there are limitations on the types of activity and the number of guests who can attend.

Weddings and civil partnership ceremonies are permitted for up to 6 attendees from Step 1, and 15 attendees from Step 2 in COVID-secure venues that are permitted to open or where a broader exemption applies.

Celebrations such as receptions are not permitted at Step 1, but can take place with up to 15 people at Step 2. These should be in the form of a sit down meal and must only take place in COVID-secure venues that are permitted to open or where a broader exemption applies.

Wedding show-rounds, viewings and site visits can only take place at venues when the venue is permitted to open. This means whether an in-person viewing can take place will depend on the current step of the roadmap, and the venues open at that time. For example, in-person viewings at indoor visitor attractions at heritage sites (such as stately or historic homes and castles) can only take place from Step 3 (no earlier than 17 May) when these venues are permitted to reopen. Viewings at accommodation sites can take place at Step 2. People must not visit a closed venue for the purposes of a wedding viewing. Virtual tours or other arrangements should be considered, until venues reopen.

Funerals can be attended by up to 30 people. Wakes and other commemorative events can take place in venues that are permitted to open, for up to 6 attendees from Step 1, and 15 attendees from Step 2.

People are permitted to stay away from their homes overnight in order to attend a funeral or related commemorative event.

Where they are permitted, strict social distancing should be maintained by those who do not live together or share a support bubble. Where there are capacity limits, these do not apply to venue/site staff, who are not counted towards the number of attendees. You should check the guidance for wedding and civil partnerships receptions and celebrations and funerals and ensure you adhere to any relevant measures.

3. Managing visitors

3.1 Working with the public

Clear communication to customers, visitors, guests and audiences is important, to ensure that they are aware of measures that apply in your facility (such as face covering requirements).

There have been changes to social distancing guidance, however, COVID-secure measures including social distancing guidance continue to apply in workplaces, in businesses and in venues open to the public. This is to protect your staff, customers and members of the public, by reducing the risk of spreading COVID-19.

You should continue to follow relevant measures on social distancing, such as calculating the number of people who can be safely accommodated in your facility with social distancing in place, and advising customers of any relevant social distancing measures in your facility, for example, through signage or floor markings.
Social contact rules and gathering limits

You should ensure your facility operates in line with the coronavirus restrictions and legal gathering limits.

People can meet others from different households outdoors, though gatherings of more than 30 people remain illegal (unless an exemption applies).

Indoors, unless an exemption applies, people can only meet in groups of up to 6 people, or as a group of 2 households. A group made up of 2 households can include more than 6 people, but only where all members of the group are from the same 2 households (each household can include an existing support bubble, if eligible).

You can find more information in the coronavirus restrictions guidance.
Businesses should not intentionally facilitate gatherings that breach legal gathering limits.

You must take all reasonable steps not to take bookings for a greater number of people than is permitted, or allow such groups to enter. You should also ensure that customers are aware of the rules on gathering limits and what this means in your facility.

You can find more information on enforcement and fines in the relevant coronavirus regulations.

3.2 Minimising transmission through contact

You should reduce the risk of transmission for your customers, guests, visitors or audience members, by minimising contact opportunities.
What you should do:
Consider how you can make any customer interaction areas safer. For example, in reception or ticket sales areas this could mean increased cleaning, keeping the activity time as short as possible and considering the addition of screens between guests and staff. In activity areas, it could mean having clearly designated positions from which employees can provide assistance to customers whilst maintaining social distance.
Minimise contacts around transactions, for example by using online booking and pre-payment and encouraging contactless payments wherever possible.
Avoid situations which encourage people to raise their voices, which increases transmission risk. Where possible, do not play music or broadcasts, or lower the volume so that it does not make normal conversation difficult.
Review your facility’s cleaning schedules and hygiene measures. This should include providing handwashing facilities and hand sanitiser, and encouraging staff and customers to wash their hands regularly. You should pay particular attention to high-traffic areas such as entrances, touchpoints such as door handles and handrails, and clean shared equipment between users. You can find more information in the section on managing your facility.
Assess your venue’s capacity and put in place measures to ensure social distancing can be maintained at all times. You should take particular care to manage areas where crowding could occur, and put in place measures to manage queues and pinch-points such as entranceways. You can find more information in the section on capacity, queuing and avoiding crowds.
Minimise customer self-service (e.g. of food, cutlery or condiments) and sharing of equipment or resources. Where equipment has to be handled by multiple users (such as staff radios, casino chips or laser tag equipment) it should be cleaned regularly (and whenever possible, between users) or replaced with a new, clean object as needed. If operating with shared equipment is essential, you should review any other measures that may be needed, such as making handwashing facilities or hand sanitiser available nearby. You can find more information in the section on managing your facility.
Check whether face coverings are required in all or specific areas of your facility, and ensure this is communicated to guests. Encourage guests to wear face coverings on communal corridors. You can find more information in the section on face coverings and PPE.
Check whether there are additional rules for specific areas in your facility (such as shops, restaurants and bars, soft play areas) and ensure you follow the appropriate guidance. You can find more information in the section on changes to facilities and services.

3.3 Providing and explaining relevant guidance

Where permitted to open to the public, you should provide and explain any relevant guidance to make sure people understand how to use your facility safely.

You must take all reasonable steps to ensure that customers comply with the limits on gatherings. You should not take bookings for a greater number of people than is permitted, or allow such groups to enter. You should also ensure that customers are aware of the rules on gathering limits and what this means in your facility.

You also have a legal duty to remind people to wear face coverings, if this is required in your facility. See the section on face coverings and PPE for more information.
What you should do (where permitted to open):
Consider how you can inform visitors of any relevant guidance and changes to processes in advance of their visit, for example on your website, when booking by phone or email, and in your digital marketing.
Ensure that visitors are aware of the rules on gathering limits, and how this affects your facility and the services you offer. For example, ensuring your website informs customers of any group limits before they book, and that they are made aware of any guidance on how to behave when they arrive.
Provide clear guidance on social distancing and hygiene to visitors on arrival, for example through signs and visual aids at entrances. Make sure to consider the needs of people with protected characteristics, for example those who are hard of hearing or visually impaired.
Consider other ways you can communicate relevant information to visitors throughout their visit, for example spoken communication from a greeter or reception staff, or designating staff as ‘social distancing champions’ to remind customers to follow relevant guidance.
Inform visitors of the rules on face coverings and how this applies to your facility. See the section on face coverings and PPE for more information.
Consider how you can ensure this information is communicated to all of your customers, for example those who do not speak English as a first language, and those with protected characteristics (e.g. people who are hard of hearing or visually impaired).

3.4 Capacity, queuing and avoiding crowds

You should carefully manage the number of visitors in your facility, and their movements, to ensure that social distancing (2 metres distance, or at least 1m with additional control measures where 2m is not possible) can be maintained between guests, and avoid risk of crowding.
What you should do (when permitted to open):
Manage the number of visitors to your facility to ensure that social distancing can be maintained. Some businesses and organisations also have specific capacity limits relevant to their sector.
Enforce capacity limits by managing ticket sales and entry, for example, by implementing timed ticketing or asking customers to book ahead where possible. You must take all reasonable steps to adhere to social contact restrictions when taking a booking and managing entry (and advising groups not to break the rules when on the premises) or you will be breaking the law.
If your facility organises events or activities where large numbers of people attend at the same time, put in place measures to ensure that social distancing can be maintained in queues and within the premises.
Consider the cumulative impact of many venues reopening in the local area. You should think about how to collaborate with local authorities, neighbouring businesses, travel operators and Local Transport Authorities to assess this risk and apply any additional mitigations required.
Mitigations could include:
further lowering capacity (even if it is possible to safely seat a number of people inside a venue, it may not be safe for them all to travel or enter that venue)
staggering entry times with other venues and taking steps to avoid queues building up in surrounding areas
arranging one-way travel routes between transport hubs and venues
advising patrons to avoid particular forms of transport or routes and to avoid crowded areas when in transit to the venue
Additional considerations for the visitor economy (where permitted to open):
Assess your venue’s capacity. This will vary depending on layout or usage. Calculate the total floorspace and put in place a capacity limit which can reasonably enable 2m social distancing between guests. Take into account the specific nature of your activities or events. For indoor events and activities, you should consider additional limits to capacity or allow for more social distancing if the activities require a range of movement.
For performances or events where there is no ticketing, consider using other communication approaches, coupled with stewarding, to manage the numbers attending. Free, open, unticketed and unfenced performances or events will need to demonstrate a robust approach to control numbers and manage social distancing, as well as fulfilling requirements to support contact tracing in the event of a subsequent case of COVID-19.
Manage your facility or event scheduling so that groups of attendees, large bookings or audiences for different performances are not arriving or using the facility at the same time in a way that compromises adherence to social distancing, and to allow for adequate cleaning.
Consider ways to manage groups of visitors, for example splitting delegates into smaller groups to manage entry and exit (colour-coding groups can help with routes and signage) and staggered lunch or break times.
If you facilitate live events, reconfigure entertainment spaces so that audiences are seated rather than standing where possible. For example, you could repurpose ticketed standing areas as ticketed seating areas. Ensure that the audience placement allows for social distancing. You can find more information about how to seat audiences (particularly for auditorium or theatre-style venues) in the guidance for the performing arts.
Consider how to manage crowding before and after performances. Extra stewarding or marshalling may be needed at key pinch-points, and care should be taken to remove any barriers at exits that might cause crowding.
Ensure any changes to venues or premises take into account reasonable adjustments for those who need them, such as disabled customers. This may include entrances and exits, queue management and seating arrangements. Ensure any changes or measures are communicated appropriately before any performance as well as when in the venue or premises.
Manage queues to ensure they do not cause a risk to individuals or other businesses, for example by introducing queuing systems, using barriers and having staff direct customers. If outdoor queuing is likely, let customers know that they may need to queue in rain or colder weather, and to bring umbrellas or wear warm clothing if needed.
If your event is outdoors, review the specific guidance in the section on outdoor events, and consider how you will engage with your relevant bodies like your local authority.

4. Managing your workforce

4.1 Social distancing for staff

You should maintain social distancing in the workplace wherever possible. This means ensuring that all staff adhere to social distancing guidance by maintaining 2 metres distance from others (or where 2m is not possible, at least 1m with additional control measures, such as wearing face coverings).
What you should do:
Ensure that all staff are aware of social distancing guidance and the need to maintain 2 metres distance from others.
Consider the needs of staff with protected characteristics, as social distancing may not be possible or will be more challenging for workers with certain disabilities (such as individuals in wheelchairs or with vision impairments). You should discuss with disabled employees what reasonable adjustments can be made to the workplace so they can work safely.
Consider all areas of your facility. Social distancing applies to all parts of a premises where business is conducted, not just areas open to the public. This includes work areas where people spend most of their time, but also entrances and exits, break rooms, canteens and other settings. These are often the most challenging areas to maintain social distancing, so you should consider the most appropriate measures for your facility. You can find advice on measures which may be appropriate in different settings in the Health and Safety Executive’s guidance on social distancing to make your workplace COVID-secure.
Where the social distancing guidelines cannot be followed in full in relation to a particular activity, you should consider whether that activity needs to continue for your business to operate, and, if so, take all the mitigating actions possible to reduce the risk of transmission for your staff.
You should also consider other control measures to minimise risk. These could include:
Minimising the number of staff on-site, or reducing the number of people in close proximity in the work area.
Reducing the number of people each individual has contact with, for example by using fixed teams or partnering so that each person works with only a few others. You can find more information in the section on shift patterns and working groups.
Limiting the movement of staff around the site. You can find more information in the section on moving around buildings.
Increasing the frequency of cleaning, including disinfecting of heavy footfall and frequent touch points such as surfaces and door handles, with particular attention to shared showers, changing rooms, and toilets/restrooms. You can find more information in the section on keeping the site clean.
Encouraging staff to wash hands frequently, and providing hand sanitiser in areas with poor access to hand washing. You can find more information in the section on hygiene.
Ensuring higher-risk activities (involving close contact) are as brief as possible.
Using screens or barriers to create a physical barrier between individuals or workspaces (particularly where an individual is in contact with a high volume of people, such as reception or ticket office staff). You can find more information in the section on workplaces and workstations.
Avoiding face-to-face working wherever possible, for example by arranging desks/workspaces so that staff are back-to-back or side-to-side. You can find more information in the section on workplaces and workstations.
Maintaining good ventilation by opening doors, windows and vents, where possible. You can find more information in the section on ventilation (link) and guidance from the Health and Safety Executive on ventilation and air conditioning.
You can find further advice in the Health and Safety Executive’s guidance on social distancing to make your workplace COVID-secure.
Further considerations for visitor economy settings:
Consider using clearly designated supervising positions, from which staff leading activity (or instructors and coaches) can provide advice or assistance to customers while maintaining appropriate social distancing.
Ensure that demonstrations or other promotional activities are designed to minimise direct contact and to maintain social distancing.
Ensure that staff who work with multiple groups can do so safely. They should maintain strict social distancing and hygiene measures with each group, and minimise contact with participants (for example avoiding demonstrating games on or with participants).
Consider how to manage risk for visiting staff who work across multiple locations. Work with staff to understand the number of facilities they visit and consider whether you should take any steps to manage this risk. For example, reducing the number of contacts they are exposed to (by reducing the number or size of groups, or number of locations) or using testing as a supplementary measure. Ensure they are aware of the safety measures you have put in place in your facility.
Minimise the use of shared objects, and ensure they are cleaned between users. For example, put in place picking-up and dropping-off collection points where possible, rather than passing goods hand-to-hand. Keep returns separate from displayed merchandise or stock, to reduce the likelihood of transmission through touch.

4.2 Communications and training

You should ensure that workers are informed of relevant safety measures implemented or updated.
What you should do:
Engage with workers and worker representatives through existing communication routes to explain and agree any changes in working arrangements.
Ensure staff returning to the workplace are given any relevant training or updated guidance in advance, particularly where it relates to new procedures for arrival at work. Use remote or visual communication to explain changes where possible, to reduce the need for face-to-face communications.
Provide clear, consistent and regular communication of any relevant safety measures or changes to policy/procedure. Use simple messaging to explain guidelines using images and clear language, with consideration of those for whom English is not their first language.
Ongoing engagement with workers (including through trades unions or employee representation groups) to monitor implementation of changes to working environments, and understand any unforeseen impacts.
Communicate approaches and operational procedures to suppliers, customers or trade bodies to help their adoption and to share experience.
Increase awareness and focus on the importance of mental health at times of uncertainty. This may include sharing guidance on the mental health and wellbeing aspects of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Additional considerations for the visitor economy:
Use visual communications (for example, whiteboards or signage) to explain changes to conference schedules or logistics to reduce the need for face-to-face communications.
Consider whether you have enough appropriately trained staff to implement safety measures. For example, having dedicated staff to encourage social distancing or to manage security.
For organisations which conduct physical searches of visitors, ensure staff are appropriately trained and take steps to minimise risk. Consider how to ensure the safety of those conducting searches while maintaining security standards. You can find more information in the guidance on managing security risks.

4.3 Workplaces and workstations

Workstations should be assigned to an individual wherever possible. If they need to be shared, they should be shared by the smallest number of people possible and cleaned frequently.

For people who work in one fixed place, workstations should allow them to maintain social distancing wherever possible. If it is not possible for workstations to be sufficiently far apart, businesses should consider whether that activity needs to continue for the business to operate, and if so take all mitigating actions possible to reduce the risk of transmission.
What you should do:
Review layouts to ensure workspaces are spaced to allow for social distancing. If fixed workspaces cannot be moved, consider leaving empty desks or workspaces between individuals.
Avoid face-to-face working wherever possible, for example by arranging desks/workspaces so that staff are back-to-back or side-to-side.
Use screens or barriers to create a physical barrier between individuals or workspaces where possible (particularly where an individual is in contact with a high volume of people, such as reception or ticket office staff).
Reduce the number of people each individual has contact with by using fixed teams or a consistent pairing system, particularly if people have to work in close proximity (such as maintenance activities that cannot be redesigned).
Consider using floor tape or paint to mark areas to help people socially distance.
Minimise contacts around transactions, for example by using contactless payments wherever possible.
Ensure that demonstrations or other promotional activities are designed to minimise direct contact and to maintain social distancing.

4.4 Shift patterns and working groups

You should review working patterns to minimise risk to staff by reducing the number of contacts each worker has.
What you should do:
Consider ways to minimise staff contacts and exposure, for example through staggered shifts and assigned staff mealtimes. You should take into account the particular circumstances of those with protected characteristics, including disability, maternity and religion, and how they may be impacted by changes to shift patterns.
Consider revising schedules for planned work and essential services to minimise contact with other staff and customers, for example by carrying out services at night or less busy times of the day.
Where workers are split into teams or shift groups, consider fixing these teams or shift groups so that any unavoidable contact is between the same people.
How to use fixed teams/groups:
— Group individuals into fixed teams that work together throughout a production or project, or for specific periods, to minimise the risk of transmission beyond these fixed teams.
— Keep fixed teams in separate areas or schedule breaks at different times, to minimise risk during breaks or when moving around a venue.
— Ensure that there is no swapping between designated fixed teams. This is to reduce the risk of whole-team impact in the event of one member of a team contracting COVID-19.
— Ensure that support workers for disabled workers or performers are included as a member of the fixed team.
Identify areas where people have to directly pass things to each other (such as equipment and supplies) and finding ways to remove direct contact, for example by using drop-off points or transfer zones.
Assist NHS Test and Trace by keeping a record of staff shift patterns for 21 days and providing the data if needed. This could help contain clusters or outbreaks (see the section on NHS Test and Trace for more information, or read the guidance on NHS Test and Trace).

5. Managing your facility

5.1 Reopening after a period of closure

If your site or location has been closed or partially operated during a period of restrictions, you should make sure it is clean and safe before you reopen.
What you should do:
Check whether you need to service or adjust ventilation systems so that they do not automatically reduce ventilation levels due to lower than normal occupancy levels or poor maintenance. Most air conditioning systems do not need adjustment if they draw in a supply of fresh air, however where systems serve multiple buildings, or you are unsure, advice should be sought from your heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) engineers or advisers.
Open doors, windows and vents to improve natural ventilation. You can find more information in the section on ventilation and Health and Safety Executive guidance on ventilation and air conditioning.
Consider the risks arising from periods of closure. If your building is unoccupied or has reduced occupancy during a period of restrictions, you should review HSE’s guidance on the risk of legionella.

5.2 Keeping the site clean

You should ensure that you keep the workplace clean and safe. This includes minimising potential transmission routes by cleaning surfaces and touchpoints, and minimising use of shared objects.
What you should do:
Frequent cleaning of work areas, equipment, bathrooms and other high-traffic areas, using your usual cleaning products.
Frequent cleaning of objects and surfaces that are touched regularly, including door handles, lift buttons and handrails, and making sure there are adequate disposal arrangements for cleaning products.
Clear workspaces and remove waste and belongings from the work area at the end of a shift.
If you are cleaning after a known or suspected case of COVID-19 then you should follow the measures set out in the guidance for cleaning in non-healthcare settings.
Provide extra waste facilities for staff and visitors to dispose of single-use face coverings and PPE. You should refer to the guidance on disposing of personal or business waste during the coronavirus pandemic for more information.
Maintain good ventilation by opening doors, windows and vents, where possible. You can find more information in the section on ventilation and Health and Safety Executive guidance on ventilation and air conditioning.
Consider wedging doors open to reduce touchpoints where appropriate. This does not apply to fire doors, which should be kept closed.
Additional considerations for the visitor economy:
Check if there is specific sector advice on cleaning your facility. For example, for advice on theme park rides and attractions see the guidance from the Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain.
Introduce enhanced cleaning of all facilities regularly during the day and at the end of the day, with particular regard to any shared facilities or equipment.

5.3 Hygiene: washing hands, sanitation and toilet facilities

You should take steps to ensure that good levels of hygiene are maintained throughout the facility.
What you should do:
Use signs and posters to build awareness of good hand-washing technique, the need to increase hand-washing frequency, and good hygiene practices like avoiding touching your face and coughing or sneezing into your arm. Considering how to ensure safety messages reach those with hearing or vision impairments.
Frequently clean toilet facilities. Set clear use and cleaning guidance for toilets to ensure they are kept clean and social distancing can be maintained, including putting up a visible and up-to-date cleaning schedule. Special care should be taken for cleaning of portable toilets and larger toilet blocks.
Provide hand sanitiser in toilet facilities as well as areas where there may be a higher risk of transmission (such as reception and entrance foyers, doorways and lifts). You should check frequently to ensure you maintain adequate supplies at all times, and ensure that any equipment placed does not impede wheelchair users.
Keep the facilities well-ventilated, for example by opening doors and windows where possible.
Increase the number of waste facilities and frequency of rubbish collection.
Use disposable paper towels in hand-washing facilities where possible.
Minimise the use of portable toilets. Special care should be taken for cleaning of portable toilets and larger toilet blocks.
Additional considerations for the visitor economy:
Encourage customers to use handwashing facilities or hand sanitiser as they enter the premises to reduce the risk of transmission by touching products or surfaces.
Check and refill hand sanitiser facilities regularly, particularly in busy areas.
Ensure handwashing facilities or hand sanitiser stations are available near shared facilities, equipment and objects. For example, at the entrance and exit of theme park attractions and rides.

5.4 Moving around buildings

You should ensure that social distancing can be maintained wherever possible while people travel to, through, and from the workplace.
Arriving and leaving:
Ensure you and your staff are familiar with the Department for Transport’s guidance on safer travel. Consider ways to help people walk or cycle to work if they can, such as installing bike racks.
Consider staggering arrival and departure times, where appropriate, to reduce crowding into and out of the workplace (making sure to consider the impact on those with protected characteristics).
Take steps to minimise transmission risk when using corporate vehicles such as work minibuses. This could include lowering the number of passengers in the vehicle at one time, and leaving empty seats between passengers.
Reduce congestion around entry and exit points, for example by having more entry points to the workplace if possible, and introducing one-way flow with markings and signage.
Provide hand washing facilities or hand sanitiser at entry and exit points and ensure it is accessible.
Consider alternatives to touch-based security devices (such as keypads), for example so that staff can show a pass to security personnel from a distance. If touch-based security devices are necessary, adjust processes to reduce the risk of transmission (for example by cleaning pass readers regularly, and asking staff to hold their passes near readers rather than touching them).
Within the facility:
Reduce movement by discouraging non-essential trips within buildings and sites, for example by restricting access to some areas, or encouraging use of radios or telephones (note that items shared by staff members will require cleaning between users).
Introduce one-way flow through buildings. Provide floor markings and signage to remind both workers and customers to follow social distancing guidance wherever possible.
Regulate use of high-traffic areas including corridors, lifts, turnstiles and walkways to maintain social distancing.
Provide hand sanitiser for the operation of lifts, and reduce maximum occupancy to ensure that social distancing can be maintained. Encourage the use of stairs instead of lifts wherever possible, but ensure that people with disabilities are able to access lifts.
Consider the needs of those with protected characteristics, such as those who are hearing or visually impaired.

5.5 Ventilation

Ventilation can be used as a control measure to reduce the risk of transmission of COVD-19. Tiny airborne particles can travel further than droplets, and in poorly ventilated spaces this can lead to viral particles spreading between people. Good ventilation can reduce this risk.

Ventilation into any building should be optimised to ensure a fresh air supply is provided to all areas of the facility and increased wherever possible.
What you should do:
Consider how best to maximise ventilation in your facility. There are different ways of providing ventilation, including mechanical ventilation using fans and ducts, natural ventilation which relies on passive flow through openings (doors, windows, vents) or a combination of the two. Open doors, windows and air vents where possible, to improve natural ventilation.
Keep toilet, shower and changing facilities well-ventilated, for example by opening doors, windows and air vents where possible and ensuring extractor fans work effectively. The risk of transmission is greater in spaces that are poorly ventilated.
Consider if you should take further steps to increase ventilation, particularly in areas which have limited air output or where higher-risk activity (such as exercise or people singing or raising their voices) takes place. For example, by opening doors, windows and air vents.
Take additional steps to minimise risk. Ventilation will not reduce the risk of droplet or surface transmission, so other control measures such as cleaning and social distancing are also required.
You can find more detailed advice on identifying poorly ventilated spaces, and further steps you can take to improve ventilation, in the Health and Safety Executive’s guidance on ventilation and air conditioning. https://www.hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/equipment-and-machinery/air-conditioning-and-ventilation/index.htm

6. Face coverings and PPE

6.1 Face coverings

Show Guidance
Face coverings are required in many public indoor places, as well as settings like public transport. This can apply to both staff and visitors, unless they have a valid reason for not wearing one (such as a medical exemption or other permitted reason). If this applies to your business, you have a legal duty to remind your customers to wear face coverings where it is mandated. You should ensure you are aware of the rules on face coverings and how this applies to your facility.

If face coverings are not required in your facility, you should consider asking or encouraging your customers and visitors to wear them. It is strongly encouraged that everyone wears face masks in enclosed public spaces (even where it is not legally required), particularly where social distancing may be difficult or where people may come into contact with others they do not live with or share a support bubble with.

If staff are not legally required to wear face coverings, you should review the risks in your workplace, and assess the need for face coverings on a case-by-case basis. You should support your workers if they choose to wear face coverings.

However you should remember that face coverings are not a replacement for the other ways of managing risk, including minimising time spent in contact, using fixed teams and partnering for close-up work, and increasing hand and surface washing. These measures remain the best ways of managing risk in the workplace and you should not rely on face coverings as a sole form of risk management.
Face coverings for facilities in visitor economy settings
Staff and workers

There are some types of workplace where face coverings must be worn by staff. This includes retail, leisure and hospitality facilities. In these settings, face coverings may be required for some or all staff.

Staff who work in an indoor area that is open to the public and where they’re likely to come into contact with a member of the public must wear a face covering (unless there is a physical barrier, such as a perspex screen, between them and customers).

Staff who don’t work in public areas or have close contact with members of the public do not have to wear face coverings. However, you should encourage or allow staff to wear face masks if they choose to, particularly if social distancing is difficult in their role, or they are likely to have to interact with people from outside their household or support bubble.
Visitors, guests, customers and audiences

There are some settings where face coverings are required for visitors. This includes:

• shops and retail settings
• hospitality venues such as bars, pubs, restaurants and cafes (except when customers are seated at a table to eat or drink)
• theatres
• personal care and beauty facilities such as hair salons
• visitor attractions and entertainment venues
• public areas in hotels and hostels.

You should check if this applies to your facility.
In these settings, it is a legal requirement for customers to wear face coverings unless they have a valid reason not to (such as a medical exemption). You have a legal duty to remind your customers to wear face coverings where it is mandated.

People can remove face coverings in these settings in some scenarios, such as:

• if asked to do so by staff for identification or age-identification (e.g. when purchasing alcohol)
• if required in order to receive treatment or services, for example when getting a facial
• if undertaking exercise
• when seated to eat or drink in a hospitality premise such as a pub, bar, restaurant or cafe (face coverings must be put back on once they have finished eating or drinking)
There may be other rules for different facilities in your venue. For example, people are not required to wear face coverings in sport facilities, however they should be encouraged to wear face coverings in enclosed public areas when not engaging in sport or physical activity. Staff providing close-contact services (such as massage therapists and beauty treatments) are required to wear a visor and a specific type of face mask. You can find more information in the guidance on close contact services and sport facilities.
What you should do:
Ensure you and your staff are familiar with the rules on face coverings and how this applies to your facility. Consider whether you should encourage staff or visitors to wear face coverings in areas where it is not legally mandated.
Ensure that face coverings are worn by staff where required. It is against the law to prevent your staff from wearing a face covering where they are required to do so.
Provide face coverings to staff, if they are required. Where staff need to wear face coverings for their work, you should provide these (as it is a health and safety requirement), but allow staff to use their own face coverings if they choose to.
Take reasonable steps to ensure that visitors are informed of the rules on face coverings, for example through notices at the entrance and in-store communications. You may also want to inform visitors that they should be prepared to remove face coverings if asked to do so by police officers and staff for the purposes of identification (for example, if your business sells age-restricted products).
Consider the impact on people who rely on lip reading, facial expressions and clear sound, and ways to mitigate this (such as giving staff training on safe or alternative means of communication).
You can find further detail on when and where to wear face coverings (as well as the enforcement measures which can be taken if you do not comply with the law) in the guidance on face coverings.

6.2 Personal protective equipment (PPE)

PPE protects the user against health or safety risks at work. It can include items such as safety helmets, gloves, eye protection, high-visibility clothing, safety footwear and safety harnesses. This does not include face coverings, which are covered in the section on face coverings.

Where you are already using PPE in your work activity to protect against non-COVID-19 risks, you should continue to do so.

Where you do not use PPE in your usual work activity, you should not encourage the precautionary use of extra PPE to protect against COVID-19. PPE is only recommended in certain scenarios such as clinical settings, or for people responding to a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19.

COVID-19 is a different type of risk to the risks you normally face in a workplace, and needs to be managed through social distancing, hygiene and fixed teams or partnering, not through the use of PPE.
What you should do:
Review the need for PPE in your risk assessment. Unless you are in a situation where the risk of COVID-19 transmission is very high, your risk assessment should reflect the fact that the role of PPE in providing additional protection is extremely limited.
If your risk assessment does show that PPE is required, you must provide this PPE free of charge to workers who need it. Any PPE provided must fit properly.

7. Travel and transport

7.1 Work-related travel

You should avoid unnecessary work travel and keep people safe when they do need to travel between locations.
What you should do:
Minimise non-essential travel – consider remote options first.
Ensure you and your staff are familiar with the Department for Transport’s guidance on safer travel.
Minimise the use of shared vehicles for people from different households or support bubbles (where it is permitted) by using fixed travel partners, increasing ventilation by opening windows, and avoiding sitting face-to-face.
Minimise transmission risk when using corporate vehicles such as work minibuses. This could include lowering the number of passengers in the vehicle at one time, and leaving empty seats between passengers.
Ensure shared vehicles are cleaned between shifts or on handover.
Where workers are required to stay away from their home, centrally log the stay and make sure any overnight accommodation meets social distancing guidelines.
For more information about work-related travel to make deliveries to other sites, see the section on deliveries and handling goods.

7.2 Deliveries to other sites

You should ensure that workers delivering to other sites (such as factories, logistics sites or customers’ premises) can maintain social distancing and hygiene practices.
What you should do:
Ensure you and your staff are familiar with the Department for Transport’s guidance on safer travel.
Minimise the use of shared vehicles by using fixed travel partners, increasing ventilation by opening windows, and avoiding sitting face-to-face.
Ensure shared vehicles are cleaned between shifts or on handover.
Put in place procedures to minimise person-to-person contact during deliveries to other sites.
Use solo workers to make deliveries and load or unload vehicles, where it is possible and safe. Where two-person deliveries are required, maintain consistent pairing where possible to minimise transmission risk.
Minimise contact during payments and exchange of documentation, for example by using electronic payment methods and electronically signed and exchanged documents.
Where workers are required to stay away from their home, centrally logging the stay and making sure any overnight accommodation meets social distancing guidelines.

7.3 Inbound and outbound goods

You should ensure that on-site and visiting workers maintain social distancing and avoid surface transmission when goods enter and leave the site.
What you should do:
Ensure you and your staff are familiar with the Department for Transport’s guidance on safer travel.
Review pick-up and drop-off collection points, procedures, signage and markings, and consider ways to minimise transmission risk.
Minimise unnecessary contact at delivery points such as security checkpoints, delivery yards and warehouses. For example, consider implementing non-contact deliveries where the nature of the product allows for use of electronic pre-booking.
Consider methods to reduce the frequency of deliveries, for example by ordering larger quantities less often.
Use solo workers to make deliveries and load or unload vehicles, where it is possible and safe. Where two-person deliveries are required, maintain consistent pairing where possible to minimise transmission risk.
Encourage drivers to stay in their vehicleswhere this does not compromise their safety and existing safe working practice, such as preventing drive-aways. However you should ensure drivers have to access welfare facilities when required.

Where to find more information

Indoor and outdoor attractions:

Hospitality settings (including advice for amusement parks, attractions and family entertainment centres): UKHospitality https://www.ukhospitality.org.uk/

Funfairs: Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain. https://showmensguild.co.uk/covid-19-guidance-for-risk-assessments-at-funfairs/

Visitor attractions: The Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA) http://www.alva.org.uk/

Museums: National Museum Directors Council https://www.nationalmuseums.org.uk/

Zoos and aquariums: British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums https://biaza.org.uk/
Meetings and events:

Events Industry Forum (guidance on outdoor events, including agriculture shows and festival, the Purple Guide on outdoor events)
https://www.eventsindustryforum.co.uk/
https://www.thepurpleguide.co.uk/

Meetings Industry Association (guidance on conferences and meeting venues - within UKHospitality guidance, AIM accreditation programme)
https://www.mia-uk.org/
https://www.ukhospitality.org.uk/page/UKHospitalityGuidanceforHospitality
https://www.mia-uk.org/AIM

Association of Event Organisers (guidance on exhibitions, trade fairs and consumer shows and e-guide on event planning and management and COVID-19)
https://www.aeo.org.uk/covid-19
https://www.aev.org.uk/e-guide

Government guidance for heritage locations (events taking place in heritage attractions or listed buildings)
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/heritage-locations

Hospitality settings (including advice for amusement parks, attractions and family entertainment centres): UKHospitality
https://www.ukhospitality.org.uk/
Outdoor event planning:

Find your local council
https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council

Find your local Director of Public Health
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/directors-of-public-health-in-england--2

Guidance on local authority powers to impose restrictions
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-authority-powers-to-impose-restrictions-under-coronavirus-regulations/local-authority-powers-to-impose-restrictions-health-protection-coronavirus-restrictions-england-no3-regulations-2020

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Contact us if you have any enquiries about this publication, including requests for alternative formats, at: enquiries@beis.gov.uk

UK GOV - Working safely during COVID-19 - The visitor economy (Updated June 21, 2021)

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Convert your paper checklists into digital forms

1.1 How to do a Covid-19 risk assessment

1.2 Key actions to include

1.3 How to share your risk assessment

1.4 COVID-19 cases or outbreaks in the workplace

1.5 NHS Test and Trace

1.6 Who should go to the workplace

1.7 Protecting people who are at higher risk

1.8 People who need to self-isolate

1.9 Equality in the workplace

1.10 Testing and vaccinations

2.1 Changes to operations

2.2 Changes to facilities and services

2.3 Hospitality (food and drinks) in visitor economy settings

2.4 Business meetings and events

2.5 Other events and attractions (outdoor events, weddings, funerals)

3.1 Working with the public

3.2 Minimising transmission through contact

3.3 Providing and explaining relevant guidance

3.4 Capacity, queuing and avoiding crowds

4.1 Social distancing for staff

4.2 Communications and training

4.3 Workplaces and workstations

4.4 Shift patterns and working groups

5.1 Reopening after a period of closure

5.2 Keeping the site clean

5.3 Hygiene: washing hands, sanitation and toilet facilities

5.4 Moving around buildings

5.5 Ventilation

6.1 Face coverings

6.2 Personal protective equipment (PPE)

7.1 Work-related travel

7.2 Deliveries to other sites

7.3 Inbound and outbound goods

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UK GOV - Working safely during COVID-19 - The visitor economy (Updated June 21, 2021)

Free UK GOV - Working safely during COVID-19 - The visitor economy (Updated June 21, 2021) Checklist

Go digital today!

Convert your paper checklists into digital forms

1.1 How to do a Covid-19 risk assessment

1.2 Key actions to include

1.3 How to share your risk assessment

1.4 COVID-19 cases or outbreaks in the workplace

1.5 NHS Test and Trace

1.6 Who should go to the workplace

1.7 Protecting people who are at higher risk

1.8 People who need to self-isolate

1.9 Equality in the workplace

1.10 Testing and vaccinations

2.1 Changes to operations

2.2 Changes to facilities and services

2.3 Hospitality (food and drinks) in visitor economy settings

2.4 Business meetings and events

2.5 Other events and attractions (outdoor events, weddings, funerals)

3.1 Working with the public

3.2 Minimising transmission through contact

3.3 Providing and explaining relevant guidance

3.4 Capacity, queuing and avoiding crowds

4.1 Social distancing for staff

4.2 Communications and training

4.3 Workplaces and workstations

4.4 Shift patterns and working groups

5.1 Reopening after a period of closure

5.2 Keeping the site clean

5.3 Hygiene: washing hands, sanitation and toilet facilities

5.4 Moving around buildings

5.5 Ventilation

6.1 Face coverings

6.2 Personal protective equipment (PPE)

7.1 Work-related travel

7.2 Deliveries to other sites

7.3 Inbound and outbound goods

Related checklists