Guidance for Attractions and Venues

This document sets out guidance on how to work safely within the visitor economy, with a particular focus on hotels and tourist accommodation. It takes account of practical considerations and recognises that the detailed arrangements may be different for each business. It has been prepared by the Department for the Economy, in partnership with Tourism NI, with input from the NI Tourism Recovery Working Group and in consultation with Public Health Agency (PHA), the Health and Safety Executive NI (HSENI) and key Executive Departments, and has been shared with trade unions.

This guidance should be considered and applied in line with:

• NI Executive’s roadmap for re-opening the Visitor Economy; and
• Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020.

Businesses must adhere to the re-opening dates relevant and restrictions relating to the full complement of their business. It also should take into consideration restrictions that may apply to its customer base.

The guidance provides key considerations that each business will need to translate into specific actions for its own unique circumstances. A site-by-site approach is essential and the risk assessment will differ for every business.

It does not supersede any legal obligations and it is important that as a business or an employer you continue to comply with your existing statutory obligations.

Each one of us must play our part in tackling the pandemic and there is an onus on individuals to operate responsibly, in line with the latest public health guidance. Owners are responsible for the conduct of their businesses and should consider how they communicate with both their staff and customers in this regard.

The Visitor Economy Guidance is an overarching piece of guidance for all businesses working in the Visitor Economy about how to work safely in different types of workplace.

Sectoral Guidelines – Venues and Attractions

As part of the Tourism NI Tourism Enterprise Development (TED) Programme, we looked at specific guidance for small accommodation providers with Attractions & Venues Expert and Business Mentor Victoria Williams. These are available to download below along with the video from the webinar.

Government Guidance

Department for Communities - Culture and Heritage Destination Venues
https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/
communities/dfc-culture-heritage-destinations-phased-return-guide.pdf

Working Safely during Covid-19, in restaurants, pubs, bars and takeway services - https://covid19.tourismni.com/guidancehospitality/

Working Safely during Coronvirus - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19 

Risk Assessment tools - https://www.hse.gov.uk/risk/assessment.htm

Guidance on the phased return of sport and recreation - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-phased-return-of-sport-and-recreation

DAERA - Gradual opening of outdoor recreation sites - https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/covid-19-gradual-reopening-outdoor-recreation-sites

Using a boat inland and on the coast - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-coronavirus-using-a-boat-inland-and-on-the-coast

Transport and travel guidance - https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-transport-and-travel-guidance

Guidance to various information and links - https://www.ukhospitality.org.uk/page/GuidesandToolkits

Working through it Together: A Practical Guide to Making work places safer - https://www.lra.org.uk/resources/covid-19-working-through-it-together-practical-guide-making-workplaces-safer

Staying Safe around Quarries - https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/staying-safe-around-quarries

Coronavirus Regulations and Recovery Plan - https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/information-and-services/coronavirus-covid-19/regulations-and-recovery-plan

General information on Leave no Trace - https://www.leavenotraceireland.org/enjoy-a-healthy-and-safe-visit-to-our-outdoors/

General information- links to other guidance - https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/covid-19-gradual-reopening-outdoor-recreation-sites

Safer Public Places- Urban Centres and Green Spaces - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5ebbb57ae90e070831aeb0d3/Guidance_Safer_Public_Places_During_Covid_v5.8.pdf

Natural Resource Wales

Guidance for reopening natural and outdoor cultural sites for recreation - https://cdn.naturalresources.wales/media/691868/guidance-for-reopening-natural-and-outdoor-cultural-sites-for-recreation-final.pdf

Wild Scotland

Guidance for Wildlife, Adventure & Activity Tourism Operators in Scotland - http://www.wild-scotland.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Covid-19-Guidance-Wild-Scotland-18-June-Update.pdf 

Guidance for Wildlife, Adventure & Activity Tourism Operators in Scotland - http://www.wild-scotland.org.uk/industry/wild-scotland-covid-19-guidance-for-the-wildlife-adventure-and-activity-sector-in-scotland/

Guidance from your Sector

UKHospitality, NIHF and Hospitality Ulster guidance
https://www.nihf.co.uk/
https://hospitalityulster.org/

Visitor Safety Group:
https://vscg.org/documents/uploads/covidguidance.pdf

COVID-19 Guidance for Tour Guiding:
http://www.itg.org.uk/news-and-events/institute-news/covid-19-guidance-forguides/

https://www.itg.org.uk/media/2444/covid-19-guidance-for-tour-guiding.pdf

British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums:
biaza.org.uk/

https://biaza.org.uk/covid-19-guidance-for-zoos-and-aquariums

British Canoeing:
www.britishcanoeing.org.uk/

https://www.britishcanoeing.org.uk/news/2020/covid-19-update-guidance-for-british-canoeing-affiliated-clubs

Sport & Recreation Alliance:
www.sportandrecreation.org.uk/news/covid-19/latest-government-guidance

International Show Caves Association:
www.i-s-c-a.org/news/221-isca-covid-recommendations

Mountaineering Ireland:
www.mountaineering.ie/aboutus/news/2020/

Canoe Association Northern Ireland:
www.cani.org.uk/canis-current-recommendations-for-paddlesport-activity/

Working Safely during Coronavirus-Covid-19 in Forestry - https://www.ukfisa.com/news-events/news/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19-in-forestry.html

Considerations for the Global Attractions Industry - https://iaapa.org/reopening-guidance-considerations-attractions-industry

Royal National Lifeboat Institution - https://rnli.org/

Royal Yachting Association - https://www.rya.org.uk/Pages/Home.aspx