Owners of local nightclubs and venues that are now required by law to check the COVID-19 status of customers as a condition of entry, are being invited to join a webinar to discuss implementing the new Covid restrictions.

Bath and North East Somerset Council will be hosting the webinar with Bath Business Improvement District to answer questions on the help and support available to businesses and discover how the measures are affecting their business.

All businesses in Bath and North East Somerset are welcome to attend whether or not they are Bath BID levy payers.

Councillor Dine Romero, cabinet member for Children, Young People, Communities and Culture, said: "The council is here to support local business through this challenging time and to ensure that staff and customers are protected as the Covid figures rise. We are writing directly to 200 businesses and members of the hospitality industry and are ensuring that our public health messages support their needs. This webinar will be an opportunity to discuss how the public health measures designed to curb the spread of the virus are working."

The webinar will take place on Tuesday 21 December at 11am. During the event, the council's Public Health and Public Protection teams will take part in a Q&A session. Questions can be emailed in advance to [email protected].

Allison Herbert, Chief Executive of the Bath BID said: "We are inviting local business to tell us how the new regulations have impacted them during the first busy weekend – what is going well and what is difficult to manage. All the feedback from the meeting will be added to the lobbying activity currently being undertaken by Visit West and Bath BID to central government."

From Wednesday 15 December, the NHS COVID Pass or equivalent proof of vaccination or testing must be used as a condition of entry at the following venues and events:

Nightclubs, dance halls and discos

Other late night dance venues which are open at any time between 1am and 5am, serve alcohol, have a dance floor (or space for dancing) and provide live or recorded music for dancing

Indoor events with 500 or more attendees that stand or move around for all or part of the event, such as music venues with standing audiences or large receptions

Outdoor events with 4,000 or more attendees who are likely to stand or move around for all or part of the event, such as outdoor festivals

Indoor and outdoor events with 10,000 or more attendees, such as large sports and music events

Anyone aged 18 or over wishing to enter these venues must have proof that they have been vaccinated with two doses of an approved vaccine or taken a PCR or rapid lateral flow test within the last 48 hours (unless they are exempt). More information on checking COVID-19 status can be found on the government website. The latest information and advice on working safely and help for businesses can be found on the council's website. Interested businesses can join the Zoom meeting using this link HERE: the log in details