In addition to last week’s official decision on public gatherings, the UK's prime minister Mr. Boris Johnson made an announcement yesterday that conferences and exhibitions will not go ahead from 1st October as planned earlier.

Addressing the House of Commons, the prime minister said: “We must acknowledge that the spread of the virus is affecting our ability to reopen business conferences and exhibitions and large sporting events, we will not be able to do this from 1 October. I recognise the implications for our sports clubs, which are the life and soul of our communities, and my Rt. Honourable friends the chancellor and culture secretary are working urgently on what we can do to support them.”

With the multifold spike in COVID infections being reported in the past few days, the country now finds itself at COVID Level 4(highest level), prime minister further confirmed that this rule will remain enforced for the next 6 months.

But events exceeding not more than 30 can continue to be organised in complete compliance with the mandatory health and safety protocols.

Kai Hattendorf, head of global exhibition association UFI, expressed his disappointment over the decision through his twitter handle.