In March 2020, the world was brought to its knees by Covid-19, an unpredictable tragedy that changed millions of lives worldwide. Within a couple of months since the first infection in Wuhan, China, the World Health Organization had declared Covid-19 a global pandemic, claiming lives worldwide.
The virus has disrupted socio-economic activities because of how it’s transmitted— primary through contact with an infected person, which can come in the form of droplets (sneezing or coughing) and touching surfaces. Also, large gatherings accelerate the virus’s spread. It’s easy to transmit from an infected person to an uninfected person because people touch chairs and other surfaces after another person has touched these items.
As such, attendees of social events like weddings, funerals, and parties need to take precautions like using personal protective equipment, frequent washing of hands, and regular use of hand sanitizer to prevent infection or spread of the virus.
Health experts recommend that during this pandemic, events are put on hold or reduced in size. But as event planners, this restriction is a huge blow that affects our source of income and as individuals this impacts our desire to celebrate our most memorable occasions.
In this article, we’ll share a few tips on planning an event while considering the spread of the virus.
In January 2021, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shared some insights on enhancing the protection of people and communities by ranking events from the lowest to highest risk in this order:
- Lowest risk: These are virtual events and gatherings on online meeting platforms like Skype, Zoom, Teams, Google Hangouts, etc.
- More risk: Small outdoor in-person gatherings in which individuals from different households remain spaced at least 6 feet apart, wear masks and come from the same local area.
- Higher risk: These are events with medium-sized in-person gatherings where individuals are spaced at least 6 feet apart, and some attendees come from outside the local area.
- Highest risk: The highest risked events are large in-person gatherings where it is difficult for individuals to keep a distance of at least 6 feet apart, and attendees come from outside the local area.
Now to the tips for planning events with the above-stated risk ranks in mind:
- Always ensure that there are handwashing stations (preferably hands-free) with flowing water, soap, and paper towels for event attendees to use. These should be placed at vantage points.
- Another tip is to ensure that tables and chairs (if any) are appropriately spaced out so that people are not very close to each other.
- It is also vital to ensure that all attendees wear a facemask or a shield at all times, except during meals (where attendees are adequately spaced out).
- If possible, supply attendees with disposable antibacterial wet wipes and hand sanitizers.
- It would be best to make sure that parties or events are held at well-ventilated venues because poorly ventilated areas make it easier for the virus to spread when someone coughs or sneezes.
- Station staff with thermometers at various entry points to check the temperatures of attendees.
- During the event, continually remind attendees to adhere to safety protocols like keeping a distance from each other.
- Finally, if a staff member isn’t feeling well, ask them to stay home to avoid any possible risk.
It is crucial to keep all these tips in mind to prevent possible infection during an event. You need to bear the above information in mind when planning an event or party because nobody wants to be behind several people contracting COVID-19.
Remember to take the necessary measures to protect your attendees and stay safe out there!
