The COVID-19 is fundamentally a public health crisis, but it has generated, through social distancing restrictions, an unprecedented shock to the global economy. COVID-19 has thrown the world into turmoil the consequences of which are disrupted social life, fall in the economy, and financial imbalance along with many other impacts on individual life and an event life. The global outbreak by the coronavirus has seriously impacted and severely harmed each industry in every possible way. It will have game-changing and long-lasting ramifications. Primarily, in the near future, it will lead to a downfall but secondarily, when the situation is under control, there is expected to be a huge spike. We’re corporate event management company in Gurgaon and let’s explore:
The Effects of Covid 19
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in over 4.3 million confirmed cases and over 290,000 deaths globally. It has also sparked fears of an impending economic crisis and recession. Social distancing, self-isolation, and travel restrictions are a must in this difficult condition to take care of ourselves. Protecting yourself from this deadly virus is of utmost importance whether by using sanitizers on daily basis or wearing masks. Each step taken by each person counts to fight against the pandemic that the virus has caused. The Coronavirus pandemic has had far-reaching consequences beyond the spread of the disease itself and efforts to quarantine it, including, social, political, and cultural implications.
Impact on Event Industry
Thinking of the coronavirus pandemic as a process that can speed up dramatically through human clusters, the event industry remains one of the hardest hit by the coronavirus crisis. A lot of uncertainty remains on the future of meetings and events. Large gatherings are going to be rare. While the chances of any individual coming into contact with someone with the disease at such events is small, it’s very difficult to protect people in large crowds and to identify those who may have been exposed. The impact on personal gatherings has been strong as medical experts have advised, and local authorities often mandated stay-at-home orders to prevent gatherings of any size, not just the larger events that were initially restricted. Such gatherings may be replaced by teleconferencing, or in some cases with unconventional attempts to maintain social distancing with activities such as a balcony sing-along for a concert, or a “birthday parade” for a birthday party. Replacements for gatherings have been seen as important to mental health during the crisis.
Maintaining Precautions at Venues
Venues play a major role in the recovery of the events industry. By implementing distancing practices at your property and taking every precaution, it lowers the risk for the event planner and adds a layer of security. It will become an expected norm for venues to be equipped with thermal scanning, as this is a must-have layer of security for those willing to attend the event. Not having this capability will add an element of risk for attendees. Thermal scanning can at least give an indication of who is showing symptoms and can be immediately quarantined. While there are doubts about the effectiveness of thermal scanning in preventing the spread of the virus, it will still be a security measure expected by planners and attendees. Venues that can provide the service will put themselves ahead of the pack. Having a sanitation policy is another crucial element for any event venue looking to restart its business and prepare for future events. Have a plan ready for handling those who may contract the virus at your hotel or while attending an event at your hotel.
These few are directly relevant to Corporate events post Covid:
- Social distancing and protective equipment
- Temperature checks and another testing
- Isolating, and contact tracing
- Sanitation and disinfection of common and high-traffic areas
- Policies and procedures for workforce contact tracing following positive coronavirus tests
The meetings that will take place in person will need to have a very strong reason to happen. They will likely be limited to domestic events and have virtual alternatives as a replacement until there is a vaccine or other cure. Small, local safe meetings will be the way the event industry makes its comeback and rebuilds. Small workshops, Internal meetings, and seminars held locally with attendees from the near vicinity and the same geographic area. The meetings will also likely be short meetings, as prolonged, close contact is thought to further spread the virus. This is still a topic under discussion within the industry, but social distancing will likely affect future meetings in many ways – one of the most notable being room and seating configuration.
The Scenario of Corporate Events Post Covid
For registration lines, hotels could follow models of what grocery stores are doing, with taped lines on the floor to demarcate six-foot distances. Brainstorm possible event room layouts and design a way for people to get to their seats while maintaining the distance limit. When it comes to food & beverages at events, self-service buffets likely won’t be a viable option for a while. Seated dining could be an alternative option if there are available staff members trained in sanitation and food-handling measures. These extra steps and layers of caution could tack on added costs to food & beverages, so it’s in venues’ best interest to offer cost-effective solutions for food and beverage at events. One option could be pre-packed meals that attendees pick up from fridges or multiple locations, or have the boxed meals already placed at their seats at the event.
Interaction between people in events
It is important for people to have a certain level of social interaction for good mental health. Therefore, according to the spread of the disease, different levels of social distancing can be followed. As per advisories, it is safe to have maximum 10 people in a closed environment (but it entirely depends on whether anyone in that gathering has been in contact with someone with a travel history or has a travel history to affected areas. If yes, it is best to avoid). It is important to remember to maintain a six-foot distance between you and others to contain the spread of the disease
Safety Precautions
The coronavirus is not airborne. It is spread via respiratory droplets that might end up on your hands if they are coughed on or you touch surfaces that have been coughed on. If stepping out is inevitable, it is important to follow certain safety precautions. Washing your hands before you step out and after the work is done is very important. Washing your hands before ensures you do not transfer the infection to a surface that is then touched by other people. It is equally important to wash your hands after making sure nothing is left on your hands that can make you susceptible to the disease.
Hand-washing is in, face masks are out, and managing attendee fear is paramount. Welcome to events in the age of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Safety measures that should be considered are as follows:
- Communicate regularly.
That means crafting detailed event communications that keep attendee regularly updated as well as posting an enforceable sick policy that states that it prevents people from showing signs of severe illness (like a respiratory condition, breathing problem or fever) from entering an event.
- Signage, signage, signage amidst Covid.
It’s important to remind attendees with signage to wash hands regularly (with soap and water, and for at least 20 seconds), to visit hand sanitizer stations regularly and to cover their mouths with their elbow, or tissues, when they sneeze (and then discard tissues right away, of course).
- Consider a “social distancing” policy.
Adopt a no-handshake policy at the event and stand more than 3 feet (1 meter) apart from other people.
- Surgical masks for Corporate events post Covid
Have some set aside for attendees who may start to exhibit symptoms and need to protect others in the process of leaving the premises?
- Technology Can Help Prevent Infection at Event Venues.
Some of the tools used to routinely disinfect event venues are particularly useful during a virus outbreak. If you don’t have access to such tools, now’s the time to do your research.
- Reduce stress.
You’re likely aware that the measures taken to prevent the flu are the same ones recommended preventing coronavirus infection: hand-washing with soap and water for 20 seconds several times a day, avoiding sick people, and coughing into your elbow. Another piece of advice: Decrease your stress. Eat right, get sleep, do things to reduce your stress, whether it’s mindfulness or meditation. Stress really weakens your immune system, so those types of things you can do to reduce your stress are really important.
The Impact of COVID on Tourism
The tourism sector is currently one of the hardest-hit by the outbreak of COVID-19, with impacts on both travel supply and demand along with the travel industry which is grappling with an unprecedented wave of cancellations and a significant drop in demand amid strict governmental instructions to implement social distancing and the restriction of unnecessary travel. Globally, border closures are on the rise.
Things to do for Revival of Corporate Events Post Covid
With fears of a new recession and financial collapse, times like these call for resilient and strong leadership in healthcare, business, government, and wider society. Immediate relief measures need to be implemented and adjusted for those who may fall through the cracks. Medium and longer-term planning is needed for Corporate events post-COVID to re-balance and re-energize the economy following this crisis. A broad socioeconomic development plan including sector-by-sector plans and an ecosystem that encourages entrepreneurship is also needed so that those with robust and sustainable business models can flourish. It is prudent that governments and financial institutions constantly re-assess and re-evaluate the state of play and ensure that the ‘whatever it takes’ promise is truly delivered.
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