COVID Passes

Requirement for Covid Pass requirements for Nightclubs/Dance Halls/Discos, certain other Late Night Venues and events where larger crowds gather.

On the 14 December new legislation was implemented to control entry into nightclubs, other late night venues and certain indoor and outdoor settings where large crowds may gather.

These regulations were passed as part of the government's 'Plan B' response to Covid-19 and specifically concerns relating to the Omicron variant. The regulations impose obligations on those responsible for organising certain events, or managing certain venues (set out in regulation 4), to take reasonable measures to ensure that they do not admit any person to such events, or venues unless the person concerned has been:

• Fully vaccinated or has tested negative for coronavirus within the last 48 hours,
• Is participating (or has participated) in a clinical trial of a coronavirus vaccine, or,
• For clinical reasons, should not be vaccinated with a coronavirus vaccine (regulation 5).

For more information, please view the regulations here.

Do the new laws apply to you?

Firstly, you should consider if your venue or planned event is included within the scope of the regulations. Guidance for organisations setting out which venues and events must use the NHS Covid pass (or equivalent) can be found here.

In summary, venues and events where the NHS COVID Pass, or alternative proofs of COVID-19 status, must be used as a condition of entry are:

• Nightclubs, dance halls and discotheques
• Other late night dance venues, where all of the following apply:
  
  - The venue is open between 1am and 5am
  - It serves alcohol after 1am
  - It has a dance floor (or space for dancing)
  - It provides music, whether live or recorded, for dancing
• Indoor events with 500 or more attendees, where those attendees are likely to stand or move around for all or part of the event, such as music venues with standing audiences or large receptions
• Outdoor events with 4,000 or more attendees, where those attendees are likely to stand or move around for all or part of the event, such as outdoor festivals
• Events with 10,000 or more attendees, whether indoor or outdoor, such as large sports and music events.

Exemptions to these rules apply.

What is required?

Should you wish to operate a venue or event whereby you need to ensure Covid pass requirements are met, you as the responsible person, will need to implement the mandatory controls outlined to ensure only eligible persons gain entry and that the necessary records are kept. Strict controls are required to ensure you and your staff carry out reasonable checks. You must check the eligibility of every person entering the venue (unless stated otherwise e.g. under 18 year olds).  These records must be kept for 3 months and must be made available to this Local Authority when requested.

It is possible in certain situations to sample a proportion of customers, but you must inform this council where you do this and seek approval before the event commences. Please contact us at foodhs@sholland.gov.uk for more information about this.

South Holland District Council and/or the Police will be checking relevant premises are operating in line with the new requirements. Should a business flout the rules a fixed penalty of £1000 (reduced to £500 if paid within 14 days) will be served for a first offence. This amount rises significantly for subsequent offences. Where an individual falsifies any evidence of their Covid-19 status they can be fined £10,000.

Help & Support

Since the start of the pandemic, we have worked with and supported many businesses to ensure they have received practical, clear and timely guidance regarding compliance with new regulations. Only occasionally, has it been necessary to take enforcement action where serious and repeated failings have been found.

We understand this is an incredibly difficult time for many businesses affected. We aim to work with all businesses so that they can operate in accordance with the laws

You can also find marketing assets (e.g. social media messaging/posters/window stickers etc) and resources including a mandatory certification toolkit by visiting https://www.nhsx.nhs.uk/covid-19-response/mandatory-certification-toolkit-for-venues-in-england/ (Mandatory certification toolkit for venues in England - NHS)

Examples of resources you can use:

Window Sticker:

Poster:

Should you wish to discuss any matter further email us at foodhs@sholland.gov.uk - we will be happy to help, support and guide you accordingly.