Guidance has been issued confirming that coach tours are still able to take place in parts of England in either tier 1 or 2. 

Coach

Source: iStock

The Government has issued updated guidance which states that coach tours can operate in tiers 1 and 2 provided certain rules are met.

There has been some confusion after the new tier system came into place across England from 2nd December. 

The Department for Digital Culture Media & Sport has now updated its guidance for tours to operate within tiers 1 and 2. It has advised against coach tours either within, to, or from a tier 3 area because of the increased restrictions. 

It states that for coach tours in tier 1 and 2: 

  • If it is possible to accommodate separate groups of a single household/support bubble and they do not mingle on a tour, it can go ahead. However, operators should continue to provide Covid-secure transport services which can accommodate multiple groups of single household/support bubbles to ensure groups do not gather unlawfully.
  • People must stay in their own group on all parts of the tour and must socially distance from those they do not live with - including whilst in hospitality settings and when visiting attractions as well as whilst on the coach. Passengers should wear face coverings and should wash their hands at the start and the end of their journey. The coach should be well ventilated with fresh air and any other necessary mitigations should be put in place to ensure the coach is Covid-secure.
  • Travel is permitted between tier 1 and tier 2. Travel into or out of tier 3 is advised against, but a coach could drive through a tier 3 area to reach a tier 1 or tier 2 area. They should not stop in the tier 3 area unless there is an emergency, and passengers must adhere to the tier 3 rules on social contact while they are in the tier 3 area. 

And for guided tours: 

In tier 1 

  • Tour groups must operate in line with social contact rules. If it is possible to ensure that groups of more than six (or larger if they are from one household) do not mingle on a guided tour, it can go ahead. People must stay in their own group at all times throughout the tour. Tours may take place indoors or outdoors provided businesses undertake risk assessments in line with this guidance document and put any necessary mitigations in place.

 In tier 2

  • Indoors: if it is possible to ensure that groups of a single household/support bubble do not mingle on a guided tour, it can go ahead.
  • Outdoors: if it is possible to ensure that groups of more than six (or larger if they are from one household) do not mingle on a guided tour, it can go ahead.
  • People must stay in their own group at all times throughout the tour.
  • Tours may take place indoors or outdoors provided businesses undertake risk assessments in line with this guidance document and put any necessary mitigations in place. 

In tier 3

  • Indoor venues and attractions will be closed.
  • Tours may take place outdoors if it is possible to ensure that groups of one household/support bubble do not mingle on a guided tour. If your tour is taking place outdoors at a historic park, public garden or landscape, then the rule of six applies, in line with general visiting restrictions. People must stay in their own group at all times throughout the tour. Businesses must undertake risk assessments in line with this guidance document and put any necessary mitigations in place.

Here’s the link to the full Government guidance for tours. 

You can find out the coronavirus restrictions in different areas with the postcode checker here and here’s a link to a breakdown by area. 

What do you think? Leave your comments below. 

Lin Wilson, Solent Events & Leisure, said she was pleased to discover that most of the areas in the south are in tier 2 and so with a bit of adjusting, she’s hoping that her Christmas events will still be able to go ahead

She said: “For the first time since March we all experienced a few days of anxiety whilst waiting to see which tier we would be in. I so wanted my clients to have something to raise their spirits and enjoy for the Christmas season, which was dependant on the tier we were given.

“I had organised three last-minute events in December - one being local, but the other two required us to travel from Hampshire to West Sussex and to Reading, so the new, stricter tier system would be the key as to whether we would be able to go or not.

Lin Wilson's group enjoying a mystery tour

Lin’s group have been on some away days including a Mystery Tour around London in October. Here are some of the group enjoying lunch on board the Teraza Joanne on the Thames.

“We were lucky, most areas here in the south are in Tier 2, so although the hotel restaurants needed a bit of re-arranging without the ‘rule of six’ being allowed for mixed household indoors, we are able to cope with several tables of two and a couple of ‘household only’ tables. My clients are over the moon that they will still be able to have some Christmas cheer in great organised company and in safety.”

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