GDIF 2024 | London’s free, annual outdoor performing arts festival 23 August-8 September 2024
Health and Safety Guidelines
GDIF have undertaken comprehensive risk assessments, and review our policies regularly in light of the changing situation.
The safety and wellbeing of our artists, audiences, staff, volunteers, traders, and partners is paramount. We’ve worked hard to ensure that we can bring exciting and engaging outdoor arts to you safely – here’s what we’ve done and what you can do to help keep everyone safe.
GDIF staff have been adhering to social distancing rules when back in the office or on site visits, and testing regularly. GDIF staff will be wearing masks on site and are working to comprehensive risk guidelines.
Hand sanitiser will be available on all sites, and we recommend wearing face coverings in crowded areas. Nearly all of our events take place outdoors, and we work to ensure that everyone is comfortable and safe.
You can help by respecting others’ space and choices, adhering to our guidelines when you attend events, and following relevant testing, vaccination, and self-isolation rules.
This page will be updated on an ongoing basis.
FESTIVAL.ORG work closely with Blue Yonder Events Ltd: Winner of Best Health & Safety Supplier to the UK Festival Industry 2020.
| OUR EVENTS
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WHAT YOU CAN DO
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| Entry and exit | Respect our staff, security, and volunteers and heed their advice. Please be prepared to queue at ingress and egress points, washing facilities, and car parks. Please be patient e.g. allowing disabled patrons to be seated or to leave first. |
| Limited capacities at some sites | Please respect our staff security and volunteers when they are advising on capacities. If the event is ticketed, please have your ticket ready.
Please respect others’ personal space and comfort zones. |
| Localised pop-up performances. | Walk or cycle to events if possible. If using public transport, wear a face covering unless exempt, and try to travel at less busy times. Visit our website to find out where your nearest performance will be. |
| Hand sanitation stations and onsite toilets. | Please use any and all available facilities to wash your hands with soap or use hand sanitiser as often as possible. Bring your own hand sanitizer if possible. |
| GDIF staff and volunteers will be wearing face coverings unless exempt. | Please wear a face covering in crowded or indoor spaces unless you are exempt. |
| Sites will be cleaned regularly. | |
| GDIF staff have been adhering to social distancing rules when back in the office or on site visits, and testing regularly. | Please adhere to NHS guidance. If you have COVID symptoms or have been in contact with anyone with symptoms, please self-isolate. Free tests can be ordered online or picked up from pharmacies. |
| Ticketed events. | If you have purchased a timed ticket, please stick to your allotted time. Please have your tickets ready for scanning.
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| More space given to our accessible viewing areas to protect vulnerable audience members. | Please respect the use of these areas and keep your distance. |
| Onsite signage and announcements. | Please follow any guidelines given by signage, staff, or over announcements. This may contain updated advice or emergency information. |
| Contactless payments available from traders and volunteers. | Please use contactless payment for food and drink, merchandise, or donations. |
If you feel that attending an event would be unsafe for you or anyone else, please stay at home.
If you have symptoms or further questions about coronavirus, please visit the NHS website.
View the UK Government’s latest advice on social distancing here.
During these challenging times, we must all remember to be kind, adaptable and patient. The last few months have caused anxiety, stress, and grief for many. So whilst we’re thrilled to be able to bring the festival to you this year, please respect fellow audience members’ space, the guidelines we’re issuing, and look out for one another.
FAQs
What if I start feeling ill at the festival?
If you start experiencing symptoms at an event, please go home immediately and self-isolate.
How do I get there?
You can take the Uber Boat by Thames Clipper service to many of our events. You can also drive to many of the sites, although parking may be limited.
The TfL Woolwich Ferry is free to use for cars and pedestrians, and you can also use the Woolwich and Greenwich foot tunnels.
Is it safe for you to have international artists in the festival?
We are regularly monitoring the travel situation and adhering to testing and quarantine regulations where relevant.
If I’ve registered for a ticket, why do I need to bring it with me?
We will scan the tickets at entry points. Tickets will have QR codes on – you can present them on a smartphone, no need to print them off. This means that staff and security can ensure capacities are controlled safely and efficiently, and those who have purchased tickets will be guaranteed entry.
I am vulnerable and have been shielding – should I come?
We are committed to the Seven Inclusive Principles which have been endorsed by the DCMS, in recognition that Deaf and disabled people have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. While we make every effort to ensure our events are safe and inclusive – such as having Access Areas, Quiet spaces, and extensive access provision for all shows – we understand that some may not feel comfortable attending events with large groups of people. Please exercise your own judgement on attending events.
We do have plenty of digital offerings – head to our Access page or YouTube channel!
I have access needs. What extra measures are you putting in place?
We will be allowing audience members with access needs to be seated first where possible, and offering free tickets for personal assistants and carers. We’ll also be providing all of our usual access offers, including BSL, captioning, wheelchair access, and our ‘What to Expect’ guidelines. For ticketed events, we strongly recommend that you advise us of your access needs when booking a ticket, so that we can plan appropriately, as some sites have limited capacity. If you have any questions around access, please contact [email protected].
“To have achieved this during COVID is nothing short of amazing”
“Absolutely blown away by the experience as it was my first audience experience since lockdown. It was also well organised especially with consideration to health and safety and myself with my mobility challenges.”
“Great to feel like London was normal again while attending these events”
– GDIF 2020 audience members
