COVID-19 Safety Measures to Prepare for Events in the Near Future
If you are hosting an in-person event, it is important to understand the risks of COVID-19 transmission. While the event industry is using virtual event apps to engage audiences, we would have to eventually host certain in-person events in the near future. However, it is also important that you understand and implement basic safety steps that can be taken to prevent and manage these risks. Below is a list of the basic security steps that organizers should take before and after hosting events.
Use resources that describe the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 as well as current limitations and recommendations for the treatment of the disease.
Staff and event attendees should always stay at home during the event, regardless of their health status. If travel is necessary for some attendees, they can opt to attend virtually via event apps.
Inform potential attendees and staff that they should either attend or stay at home and inform them of any restrictions or recommendations from local authorities or health authorities as to whether or not they should stay at home.
Consider introducing a permissive refund policy to encourage visitors to your event to follow the rules and refund attendees if they do not comply with these rules.
Guarantee that hand sanitizers contain at least 60% alcohol - if the former is not available, provide CDC and WHO guidelines for the use of non-alcoholic hand sanitizers.
Create an event-specific medical response plan and determine how employees and participants experiencing a medical emergency can be isolated and transported. Develop a plan for a quick and safe evacuation and prepare for the possibility of an emergency evacuation.
Determine event capacity based on the geometry and physical characteristics of the venue and change the density of attendees and staff to enforce security protocols, including the location of meeting rooms where attendees gather, including restrooms, queues, entry and exit procedures. This can include measuring the use of the bathroom, changing the seating and standing order, and standing in line.
Event security measures, such as surveillance cameras, should be included in all event and event plans and in the security plan for each event.
Name one or more employees to maintain physical distance and cover requirements at each event, and recommend face-to-face coverage at all event.
Please ask all employees and event visitors to stay at home if they have experienced a COVID-19 case or a known or suspected COVID-19 case or have been diagnosed in the last 14 days. Provide organizers with resources detailing the signs and symptoms of COVID-19, and resources on the CDC website for organizers to educate potential events, as well as information on whether visitors should attend or stay home.