Published by Neil ThompsonThe Meetings Industry Association (mia) welcomes the Prime Minister’s announcement that major business meetings and events can restart, ‘subject to pilots’, from 1 October, as part of the latest easing of lockdown restrictions.
Jane Longhurst, chief executive of The Meetings Industry Association, said: “The impact of COVID-19 on the business meetings and events sector has been devastating so we are delighted with Friday’s announcement that we now have a timeframe to work to and recommence. Its positive proof that the Government has been listening to the sector and understands that we can open safely.
“We are currently awaiting the detail of the pilot events, but we do know they are to offer Public Health England the chance to test the industry’s ability to hold major events with large numbers of people.
“We also understand that the guidance, which we can expect any day, will include the news that COVID-Secure venues can immediately open for events up to 30 people, which is a fantastic step forward.
“To ensure that we reopen and operate in a COVID-Secure way, it will be imperative that the sector follows the guidance when it is issued by Government as well as the mia’s Roadmap to reopening and operating safely. And, as further proof of the fact that venues are COVID-Secure, we would suggest that venues add AIM Secure into their planning.”
