The recent outbreak of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, is a definite concern if you’re planning an event. Safety measures must be taken to help slow the spread, but seeing how the situation is quickly changing, the path moving forward may not be exactly clear.
If regional or national authorities have put an event ban in place, your gathering will need to be postponed or cancelled. If not, you’ll need to make a decision on how to proceed. Here, we explain the factors to consider for event safety in the age of the coronavirus.
Information regarding recommended actions for event safety can be found online, but getting the facts right is important. To that end, we suggest checking the guidelines presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the resource provided by the non-profit Events Industry Council.
You may find that outside situations take certain decisions out of your hands. Authorities may limit the gathering size, for example, or the hotels and airlines may not be in service. As you make plans, keep these potential realities in mind.
Give some thought to who will be attending your gathering – and be sure to include the staff, speakers and VIPs along with the invited guests. If the group has several people who are at increased risk of contracting the coronavirus, you may need to reassess your plans.
Everyone is going to want the latest information on your gathering and how it will proceed, so you’ll need an effective way to communicate. You can use email, social media, your website or a smartphone app – and be sure to provide regular updates.
If you end up going ahead with your gathering, you’ll need to take the necessary safety precautions on site. As of now, that means planning for social distancing and making sure everything at the venue is properly cleaned and disinfected according to the CDC guidelines. You may also want to provide hand sanitizer, and depending upon the nature of your event, you might need to consider additional venue safety measures.
The professional team at In the Event has decades of experience in event planning, and we understand how to mitigate risks and plan for the unknown. With us, you’ll have expert assistance developing a safe strategy during the coronavirus outbreak.
At In the Event, we provide free event design and production services to anyone who rents any products from our inventory. Our team can handle everything, and we’ll make sure your gathering is a unique, innovative and safe experience.
For more details on how we can help you plan for event safety in light of the coronavirus pandemic, contact us today.
