Events - Infection Control
Event organisers have a general duty to ensure, so far as reasonably practical, the health, safety and welfare of their visitors and employees, as well as volunteers and spectators.
To support this duty from a public health, infection control, and drugs and alcohol perspective, guidance has been co-produced between the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Health Protection Team (HIOW HPT) and Isle of Wight Council Public Health Team.
Mass gathering guidance
This guidance has been created to help event organisers plan for, prevent, and manage an outbreak of key infectious diseases in a mass gathering environment and to support planning for certain other circumstances that might affect the health and wellbeing of people attending large gatherings. Event organisers may wish to refer to this guidance in their communications with the Island’s Safety Advisory Group to provide assurance that aspects such as infectious disease and adverse weather have been considered as part of event planning.
- Mass gathering guidance (PDF, 243KB)
It includes guidance on
- gastrointestinal outbreaks
- rash presentations such as measles
- bacterial meningitis
- medical centre facilities
- how to contact UK Health Security Agency for advice
- general public health considerations
- general hygiene
- vaccinations
- sexual health
- adverse weather
We strongly recommend regularly reviewing the useful links as information may change.
Adverse weather
Adverse weather can put the health of event attendees and staff at risk, so it is important that event organisers monitor weather forecasts and put in place the appropriate measures to deal with this eventuality.
A new Adverse Weather and Health Plan (AWHP) was published by UKHSA in 2023. It contains comprehensive advice to protect people’s health from weather related harm.
It also contains specific guidance for events.
You can register to receive weather-health alerts here