With the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival set to take place 5 to 11 July, and RHS Flower Show Tatton Park taking place 21 to 25 July, organisers and enthusiasts alike have been eyeing the developments around the Government's 21 June proposed 'Freedom Day' and its potential impact on the shows with some degree of trepidation.
With that day – lifting most of the restrictions currently in place – now officially pushed back four weeks in the 14 June announcement, what does that mean for this summer's RHS shows?
The good news, confirmed 15 June, is that both the Hampton Court and Tatton Park shows will be still going ahead with additional Covid measures in place to ensure the safety of all those attending.
Working with Public Health England the RHS is awaiting confirmation of the total numbers that will be allowed on site but remains confident that the festival will be able to run near to its usual capacity.
All visitors will be required to take a lateral flow test before traveling to the shows and have recent evidence of a negative result before being admitted.
Extra parking, park and ride options, socially distanced queueing, enhanced cleaning and hand sanitisation complete the measures to provided greater safety.
Full press release below. Visit the RHS at rhs.org.uk/hamptoncourt for infomation and tickets.
RHS Summer Shows to go ahead as planned following latest government announcement with additional covid measures in place
Whilst the Government announcement on 14 June 2021, means some coronavirus rules will continue for the next five weeks, RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival (5-11 July) and RHS Flower Show Tatton Park (21 – 25 July) will be able to go ahead as planned with additional safety measures in place.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is working closely with Public Health England and awaiting confirmation on the numbers allowed on site at RHS Hampton Court but is confident that the popular festival will be able to run near to usual capacity.
In addition and in line with the latest Public Health England guidance and following the success of the Pilot Test Events, all visitors will be required to take a lateral flow test before travelling to the Shows and have recent evidence to prove a negative result before being admitted to the event. Lateral flow tests are available for free and can be taken at home or at a local test site. Full information can be found at: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing/. Proof of a negative test can be provided as a printed document or as an email or text message. Visitors must provide proof of a negative test even if you have been vaccinated. Children aged under 11 do not need to take a test.
Tests need to be taken the day before or the morning before they travel to the event. Anyone who tests positive should not travel and should follow Government advice. Ticket holders who test positive will be offered an exchange to the 2022 show, a credit or a full refund in line with RHS terms and conditions.
There will be a number of additional measures in place to ensure our visitors, members, staff and exhibitors feel safe at our summer shows. These include extra parking and park-and-ride options for those travelling by car, socially distanced queuing, enhanced cleaning and waste disposal, hand sanitisers stationed across the showground, contactless transactions and regular exhibitor testing.
The RHS would like to thank everyone for their continued support, understanding and cooperation as we implement changes in order to ensure our shows can return safely this summer.
