Clarification for coach tours

29 September 2020

The Department for Digital Culture Media & Sport and the Department for Business Energy & Industrial Strategy has just updated its guidance for the visitor economy and  section 2 (managing your customers, visitors and contractors) now contains guidance that will be useful to the coach sector.  We advise you to read the full guidance which can be found here but the following will be of relevance:

Coach Tours:

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 tour, it can go ahead. People must stay in their own group on all parts of the tour – for example whilst in hospitality settings and when visiting attractions as well as whilst on the coach. Legislation does not place any capacity constraints on public transport services, private hire vehicles or leisure tours. Operators should continue to provide Covid-secure transport services which can accommodate multiple groups of six people. DfT will update the transport guidance shortly to clarify and assist passengers and operators.

Guided tours:

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

Please contact a member of our regulatory team on 01254 828300 or at regulatory@backhouses.co.uk for more information.