Cheltenham Racecourse tackles coronavirus

The Cheltenham Festival is one of sports most popular events of the year, attracting more than a quarter of a million people over the 4-day event.

Prior to the event, which starts today, there was mounting uncertainty due to the coronavirus, and the pressure to cancel following suspensions of large events in other countries. However, with the Public Health England advising that there is no requirement for the UK to ban large scale events it has gone ahead and is defying the coronavirus fears.

Instead of cancelling, which unfortunately other smaller events are doing – despite the governments’ advice to continue with holding events, Cheltenham Festival have instead issued pre-event communications to reassure attendees of the precautions and additional measures that will be in place. Cheltenham racecourse has increased the number of facilities available to racegoers such as washbasins and toilet facilities along with ensuring hand sanitiser will be readily available and paper towels. They have also increased the number of staff to ensure soap and drying facilities are constantly available.

According to The Racing Post, there will also be posters around the racecourse which will demonstrate the latest public health advice.

In the lead up to the event, advice was issued to those that have recently visited certain foreign destinations advising them to stay away from the event if they were displaying symptoms.

Ian Renton, regional director of Cheltenham Racecourse, said: “We’re working closely with the Department of Health to maximise hygiene facilities at the course. “We are looking to improve it where we can and hygiene is at the centre of what we are doing.”

As the coronavirus situation changes daily and many people are still unsure what is going to happen over the coming days and weeks, we should look at cases such as the Cheltenham Festival to gain confidence on how large scale events can still go ahead and be managed appropriately. The additional resources and procedures that are being put in place can be followed for smaller events and communication is key both before and during the events.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said that events such as Cheltenham should go ahead as planned despite cancellations and postponements being made public in other European countries. ‘We are guided by the facts and we are guided by the evidence. At the moment the advice is clear from the chief medical officer: there isn’t a need to cancel such events.’

These events are essential to millions of businesses worldwide providing platforms for people to network, engage and conduct business. The Cheltenham Festival is expected to attract around 70,000 people which will contribute to the economy and many businesses including in the supply chain are reliant on these types of events going ahead.

As a venue procurement platform, we are committed to encouraging these events to continue in times of disruption and will keep sharing positive case studies and information to our audiences.