EVENT GREENING FORUM

Keeping business events in business

To ensure the sustainability of our industry, the Event Greening Forum (EGF) argues that we need to respect lockdown regulations.

Perhaps it was pandemic fatigue at the end of 2020 that led to several restaurants and events disregarding health and safety precautions meant to prevent the spread of Covid-19. In the case of Ballito Matric Rage, this meant that it became a super spreader event which was reported to have directly infected at least 948 school leavers.

These instances and general complacency are believed to have contributed to the fact that South Africa entered its second wave shortly thereafter, reminding us just how rapidly the virus can spread. It was also a reminder of how critical health and safety guidelines are. Adopting them will ensure transmission of the virus is limited, if not prevented, at events.

EGF member Advocate Louis Nel, who has specialised in legal matters relating to travel and tourism, said that aside from an ethical obligation to adhere to these guidelines, there is the issue of statutory compliance with Government’s lockdown regulations. “In other words,” he said: “All the laws and regulations issued by the government MUST be complied with. The failure to do so can lead to penalties such as fines and incarceration.”

Indeed, during his address on 14 December, the President warned that the individuals responsible for establishments that failed to enforce mask wearing could be liable for a fine or up to six months of imprisonment. This shows that government is prepared to act against businesses that do not uphold the current regulations.

Government isn’t the only one who could come after you. “Ultimately there is also the duty of care obligation on all parties. If such duty of care due by any of the parties is not heeded or heeded adequately, it may result in/be deemed to be a breach of this duty of care and thus negligence and a delictual (tort) action for damages may ensue,” Mr Nel explained. In other words, you open yourself up to legal liability.

Mr Nel added: “It should be borne in mind that this is a ‘two-way street’, and not only must the product and/or service provider and/or venue comply, but also the customer, such as with wearing masks and social distancing.”

While business events are not yet truly “back in business”, vaccines are starting to be rolled out around the globe. And we are hopeful that the Restart Expo held in November 2020, an initiative by Specialised Exhibitions and the Johannesburg Expo, will help our government understand the difference between a professional business event and other gatherings, and just how safely business events can be managed (when done correctly). However, when the time comes, we also need to be able to prove that this argument is well founded, and that we can fulfil this expectation professionally and responsibly. Please don’t let us all down.

About the EGF

The Event Greening Forum (EGF) is a non-profit organisation that promotes sustainability within the business events sector. It does this by hosting educational sessions for industry and lobbying government in an effort to implement sustainability principles into the daily operations of the events industry.

The EGF was established through dedication and support of eight industry associations who are recognised as founding members. The founding members are key industry associations working together to promote South Africa as a destination for various types of events.

Want to know more? If you would like to know more about event greening, visit wwweventgreening.co.za where you can browse the free resources, sign up to the monthly newsletter, or contact them directly with any queries.

Contact: Lynn Mcleod

T: 082 891 5883 E: lynn@eventgreening.co.za