Finland: Common principles for event industry to organising events during COVID-19
NordenBladet — A working group appointed by the Ministry of Education and Culture has drawn up principles for the safe organisation of events even during the COVID-19 pandemic. The principles are geared towards the future, a situation in which the development of the epidemic in Finland has slowed down so that events can be organised again. By committing to the principles, the event organisers can indicate that they are adhering not only to official regulations and recommendations but also to specific measures drawn up by the sector in cooperation with the authorities to ensure the safety of participants. It also allows them to use the Responsible Event logo in their communications.
The principles drawn up by a working group appointed by the Minister of Science and Culture Annika Saarikko are based on self-initiative. The aim of the principles is to support event organisers in the planning and delivery of events during the COVID-19 pandemic. In its work, the working group has drawn on the background work carried out by Tapahtumateollisuus ry and the good practices applied in the events organised in 2020, which have now been put together in the form of principles for responsible events.
– Although the COVID-19 situation is now worrying, the working group has its eye on the future. Events are not put together overnight, but require long preparation. I would like to thank the event industry for their cooperation manifested in the working group’s work. The aim is that, as the development of the epidemic slows down, people will be prepared to attend events carrying the responsible event logo, says Minister of Science and Culture Annika Saarikko.
The working group proposes a “Responsible Event” logo for the event industry. With the logo, event organisers indicate that they follow the existing official guidelines and implement them in practice. With the use of the logo, event organisers have the responsibility to explain how they follow the authorities’ guidelines and the newly issued principles. The principles set out, for example, guidelines for safe distances and requirements for the use of masks and the drafting of a written safety plan. In accordance with the proposal for a Communicable Diseases Act, the principles are adaptable to the baseline, acceleration phase and the community transmission phase of the epidemic.
– The working group managed to set up common principles quickly and we hope the industry will put them into practice as widely as possible. The “Responsible Event” logo enables us to strengthen the trust of both the general public and the authorities in safe events. This will strengthen the operating conditions of the event industry as soon as the development of the epidemic allows the organisation of public events, says Maria Sahlstedt, Director of Tapahtumateollisuus ry.
The working group will continue its work in January. The aim is to create an exit plan in collaboration between the event industry and authorities to be implemented as the pandemic starts to slow down.
The principles were drawn up by representatives from the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, the Regional State Administrative Agency for Southern Finland, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, the Church Council, the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities, the National Police Board, the performing arts, Finland Festivals ry, Helsinki Football Club, Kulta ry, the Finnish Olympic Committee, Tapahtumateollisuus ry, Warner Music Live and the Finnish Broadcasting Company (events, live and sports).
Follow the working group’s work at the Gateway to Information on Government Project. The Gateway provides access to the principles drawn up by the working group (For the present, in Finnish only).
Featured image: Pexels
Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi
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