Covid-19 Info
COVID-19 INFO
What to expect when you come back to Barnes
WE’RE ON! We’ve been planning our Festival for Covid times for the last year so we’re confident we can deliver the maximum amount of book fun and keep you, our authors, illustrators, performers and volunteers safe and socially distant at all times.
THE TWO METRE RULE
Keep a look out for our social distancing markers and make sure there’s two metres between your group and others inside our venues and when queuing.
SEATING CAPACITY
Our seating has been laid out according to social distancing guidelines which means that we will be returning with reduced capacities in all our venues. If the restrictions are relaxed after 21 June we’ll aim to increase the number of seats available. If you’re on our mailing list, you’ll be the first to know so keep an eye out for our emails.
SEATING
Our seats have been arranged to maintain a minimum of one metre between your group and the next. Please do not move the seats or benches as these are arranged to ensure that minimum distances are maintained.
We apologise in advance if at some events it may not be possible for you to choose your own seats.
ONE WAY SYSTEM
Wherever possible, we’ll be operating a one way system on entering and leaving our venues. Please follow the arrows and encourage your group to follow them.
ONLINE TICKET SALES ONLY
Tickets to this year’s Festival are being sold online only from our website. You don’t need to print them out, just show us your phone or other mobile device.
Just a reminder that you’ll need a ticket for every adult and child attending, except babies under the age of twelve months with the exception of our That’s Not My… storytelling sessions.
TEST & TRACE
You’ll need to provide your contact details as part of your online booking.
VENTILATION
We’ll be opening the sides of our marquee to increase ventilation and where possible the doors and windows in our venues will remain open during events.
FACE COVERINGS
Please bring a face covering with you. In line with government guidelines, wearing a face covering is compulsory for all adults inside our venues. If you forget your face covering we will have spare masks available but Barnes is a community event with a budget to match and we’d rather not spend a lot of that on single use, disposable products.
HAND SANITISER
Hand sanitiser stations are in all our venues for you to use.
INCREASED CLEANING
All our seats, benches and toilets will be cleaned and sanitised between events.
GENTLE REMINDERS
We’re very proud that Barnes is entirely organised and produced by volunteers. We’re here to keep you safe and to make sure that everyone has an amazing time. Please follow our requests and do not be offended if we remind you of what is required so that Barnes can return safely this year.
ARRIVE IN PLENTY OF TIME
Doors to the venues will open earlier than usual up to 30 minutes prior to the start of the event. We know! Every event at Barnes is unmissable but we’d like to ask you not to book back to back events so you can arrive with plenty of time for our volunteers to seat you safely.
QUEUEING
It may be necessary to queue outside your venue for a short period before you enter so please be patient with us. Please come prepared with a raincoat or umbrella in case our weather is not wonderful.
WHEELCHAIR USERS
Wheelchair users will be seated in the same way we usually do.
BOOK SIGNING
We know you’ll understand *under the circumstances* if some of our authors and illustrators are not offering live signing this year. A number of pre-signed books – or signed bookplates – will be available in the bookshop after the event.
AND
Please stay home if you feel unwell.
We’ll update this information with any changes as they happen and it will help us if you could check this page again before your visit. .
LET’S MAKE IT HAPPEN!
Please consider making a donation so that we can continue to bring you the Barnes you love. Whatever you can give will make a big difference.
