Published
Fri, Sep 24, 2021, 15:15
- The scheme, which launches this month, doesn't cover against staff or crew catching the virus or having to self-isolate.
The UK government has officially opened its UK Live Events Reinsurance Scheme.
First announced in early August, the scheme will provide £800 million in insurance funds for festivals and live music shows, as well as sports and business events. Cover will be made available in the case of "cancellation, postponement, relocation or abandonment of events due to new UK Civil Authority restrictions in response to Covid-19," the scheme states. It'll run from September 22nd, 2021, until September 30th, 2022, with a review in spring next year.
The insurance won't be applicable under the current set of restrictions, or provide support in the event of staff or performers either contracting Covid-19 or self-isolating due to contact tracing. Events that have to operate with a lower capacity also aren't eligible, unless the event is postponed or cancelled outright.
The scheme is only available through a handful of approved insurers, and organisers must also have standard events cancellation insurance alongside it—the government scheme isn't available on a standalone basis. Cover must be purchased at least eight weeks before the event takes place, though this rule doesn't apply for the first 12 weeks of the scheme.
UK prime minister Boris Johnson recently said that he has no intention of imposing another phase of national lockdown this year.
Photo: Colin Lloyd