The final results of the Events Research programme have been published. These are the government-run & administered events seeking to ascertain the safety of amongst other things conferences and meetings in light of the covid risk. These consist of two scientific notes and a summary document. More details at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/events-research-programme-phase-ii-and-iii-findings

Some of the main findings are:

• There was little evidence of increased transmission by attendance at the following categories of events (although these should be treated with caution due to capacity constraints in operation at the time):
  § mainly outdoor seated
  § mainly outdoor partially seated
  § indoor seated theatre events inc conferences and meetings
• Environmental and behavioural risk factors associated with COVID-19 transmission at events are complex and contextual.
• Good air quality, for the given occupancy levels, was found in nearly all venues, however, there were situations leading to poor air quality in some spaces: mostly due to pockets of overcrowding but occasionally due to ventilation strategies needing improvement.
• Individual risk while attending an event is dependent on social interactions, on the interaction with the environment, and on the individual journey through an event.
• Attendance at the mainly outdoor unseated events studied (Goodwood, Latitude and Tramlines) was associated with a 1.7 fold increased risk of COVID-19 transmission amongst attendees (albeit from a very low base line).

Analysis of the data from ERP continues and further investigation of key risk factors will be used for further modelling and to inform policy guidance. More details at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/events-research-programme-phase-ii-and-iii-findings

If you are wondering how to put on your live or hybrid event we are here to help. As a venue finding agency, we are talking to venues all day every day. We can tell you what venues are doing to manage their and your Covid risks, both in terms of physical measures but also how they are altering their terms and conditions. For example, some are tightening their cancellation policies, some are increasing prices. Others are taking a different approach. One of the leading London based group of conference venues has gone as far as to offer free covid cancellation insurance.