With COVID-19 passes coming into force (15 December), Folkestone & Hythe District Council is offering support to businesses – and their customers.
The government measure means that certain venues and events are now required by law to check that all visitors aged 18 and over are fully vaccinated (currently two doses), or have proof of a negative test taken in the last 48 hours, or that they have an exemption.
Nightclubs and other late-night venues with a dancefloor or space for dancing which are open between 1am and 5am, serve alcohol after 1am, and have live or recorded music for dancing, are some of the places where the NHS COVID Pass must be shown. These places can include pubs and bars who set up a dancefloor specifically for the Christmas/New Year period (and who meet all the other criteria).
Others include indoor events with 500 or more standing attendees, outdoor events with 4,000 or more standing attendees, and events with 10,000 or more attendees.
F&HDC’s licensing team will be visiting venues in the next few days to offer guidance.
Cllr Stuart Peall, Cabinet Member for Enforcement, Regulatory Services, Waste & Building control, said: “We will be working with our local businesses to give them all the help and support they need.
“Any changes like this can seem daunting – not only for the businesses, but also for the customers who use them. We want to make everything go as smoothly as possible and to give people the confidence to enjoy themselves in a safe and responsible way.”
For businesses, full guidance is available here: gov.uk/guidance/carrying-out-mandatory-covid-19-status-checks-at-your-venue-or-event
For those working at these businesses: gov.uk/guidance/prove-your-coronavirus-covid-19-status-to-work-at-venues-or-events-operating-covid-19-status-checks
For attendees: gov.uk/guidance/nhs-covid-pass