How to Encourage Social Distancing at Events

After months of quarantine, it seems that the world is slowly but surely opening back up. And with the holiday season just around the corner, many are planning events and gatherings to celebrate. However, the fear of the COVID-19 pandemic is still very much alive, so how do you host or attend an event while protecting the safety of yourself and your loved ones?

We all know by now that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend social distancing as one of the best ways to prevent the spread of the virus. While this may seem a bit more challenging with a larger group of people, there are many ways to enforce social distancing at events, including:

Break Out the Tape

By now, you’ve probably noticed tape on floors at grocery stores and other public places, and it’s there for a reason – because it works. Using floor tape, directional signage, and ropes creates visual barriers that make it easier for people to social distance. Before your event, take something as simple as a roll of duct tape and mark off six feet intervals to show people where they should stand or sit. If you’re looking for something more upscale, have branded floor signs made to match your event and promote your company while still enforcing social distancing protocols.

Have an Enforcement Team

As your event goes on and people get more comfortable in the space (especially if the alcohol is flowing), your attendees may begin to overlook the floor tape. When this happens, it’s helpful to have dedicated staff members or volunteers monitoring guests and reminding them to practice safe social distancing. Provide this team with some bullet points or phrases they can use to kindly reinforce the rules to these guests and remind them of the importance of staying six feet apart.

Use Assigned Seating

If it’s possible at your event, try using assigned seating. Mark off every three seats or every other row, depending on your venue. This not only gives you peace of mind, but it will also help your guests feel more comfortable that they are a safe distance away from others.

Limit Your List

 Finally, one of the easiest ways to enforce social distancing, is simply to invite fewer people. A limited guest list will mean more room for attendees to spread out. Evaluate how much room your venue space allows for and base your guest count on that.

If you need assistance or advice on planning a safe and socially distant event, contact us! We’re well-versed on CDC protocols and happy to help with all of your event planning needs.