The countdown is on until we open the gates to the festive edition of Taste of London 2021 and we can’t wait to welcome you. The health and safety of festival-goers and staff is our priority and with this in mind, we’ve updated our entry requirements for this year’s festival.

In line with many other live events taking place this year, all ticket-holders aged 12 and over must show ONE of the following upon entry:

• Proof of full vaccination
• Proof of a negative Lateral Flow Test
• Proof of natural immunity

Read our latest COVID-19 event information below.

Preparation is key so get entry-ready by downloading your NHS COVID-19 Pass or stocking up on lateral flow tests and we’ll see you soon at the Tobacco Dock.

 

WHAT DO I NEED TO SHOW TO ENTER THE FESTIVAL?

Like many other events happening this year, we are asking all ticket-holders aged 12 and over to demonstrate their COVID-19 status by showing one of the following upon entry:

• Proof of full vaccination – both vaccine doses received (with the second at least 14 days prior to the festival) or
• Proof of a negative NHS Lateral Flow Test – taken less than 24hrs before arriving at the festival or
• Proof of natural immunity – based upon a positive PCR test within 180 days of the festival (including 10 days self-isolation following the result).

 

I’VE HAD BOTH VACCINES; HOW DO I DEMONSTRATE MY COVID-19 STATUS?

FOR TICKET HOLDERS IN ENGLAND

If you are a resident in England, you can show your COVID-19 status using the NHS COVID-19 Pass on the NHS App. For more information on how to do this, please head over to the handy NHS website here.

Please double check you’re using the correct NHS App as it’s slightly confusing and different to the NHS COVID-19 App (we’ve all been there).

The NHS App can take some time to set up on your phone, so PLEASE do this before you set off to avoid getting chilly fingers having to install it when you arrive at the festival. To access the service, you’ll need to register for an NHS login if you don’t have one already. NHS login registrations may take longer than usual when there are high numbers of requests, so we advise setting yourself up as soon as possible. Lots of useful information and set up tips can be found here.

Once you are set up and logged in, you will be able to select ‘Get your NHS COVID-19 Pass’

We strongly recommend that you screenshot or add to your Apple Wallet a copy of your NHS COVID-19 Pass before setting off to the festival (the pass is only valid for 24hrs). This way you’ll have it ready to show at the entry gates and can waltz straight in for maximum eating and drinking time. Alternatively, you can also show a printed copy.

WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE A SMARTPHONE OR A COMPUTER?

The NHS Website

If you don’t have a smartphone that’s no problem at all, you can view your COVID-19 status online and download or print it instead (we highly recommend this). Access the NHS COVID-19 Pass via the NHS website here.

Call 119

If you don’t have access to a smartphone or computer, then you can call 119 to request a letter to demonstrate your vaccination status. Please note that the letter can take up to 5 working days to reach you and will be sent to the address registered with your GP – so we’d suggest getting on it quick so you’re all set and ready to go for the festival.

FOR TICKET HOLDERS IN SCOTLAND

Based up in Scotland? Lovely to see you here! To get all the details of your full vaccination status set up ahead of the festival, head here. If you do not receive the letter in time, you’ll need to provide evidence of a negative NHS Lateral Flow Test by reporting the result here and presenting your NHS email or text notification at the entry gates.

FOR TICKET HOLDERS IN WALES

If you live in Wales, hi yno, braf eich gweld chi! Pop over to here to get everything you need to obtain your full vaccination status. If you can’t access your NHS COVID-19 Pass, you will need to provide evidence of a negative NHS Lateral Flow Test by reporting the result here and presenting your NHS email or text notification at the entry gates.

FOR TICKET HOLDERS IN NORTHERN IRELAND OR THOSE TRAVELLING FROM OVERSEAS

If you’re travelling to Taste of London from further afield, you’ll need to provide evidence of a negative Lateral Flow Test or full vaccination status using your country’s official certifications.

If you can’t access your NHS COVID-19 Pass or if you do not receive a vaccination status letter in time, you will need to provide evidence of a negative NHS Lateral Flow Test, by reporting the result here and presenting your NHS email or text notification at the entry gates.

 

HOW DO I GET A LATERAL FLOW TEST?

You can order your FREE NHS Lateral Flow Tests here or pick them up from any pharmacy or test site. The tests are delivered super fast, however we’d recommend you order and pick them up as early as possible just in case, to make sure you’re well prepared ahead of the festival (you know what they say, the early bird catches more Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée). Each kit comes with full instructions on how to do the test so please nerd it up and follow these carefully.

 

HOW DO I UPLOAD MY NHS LATERAL FLOW TEST RESULT?

If you are providing details of your COVID-19 Status using an NHS Lateral Flow Test, please complete the following steps:

• Take your lateral flow test 24 hours prior to arrival at the festival.
• Once you have taken your test, you will need to report your result on the NHS website here. You will receive a text or email notification confirming your test result.
• Once you have reported your result on the NHS website, this should update your COVID-19 Pass in your NHS app within 2 hours OR you can show your text message or email as proof.

 

WHAT HAPPENS IF I GET A POSITIVE TEST RESULT?

If you get a positive lateral flow test result, DO NOT COME TO THE FESTIVAL.

A positive result from an NHS Lateral Flow Test means it’s likely you had coronavirus when the test was done. You and anyone you live with must not attend the festival and self-isolate immediately. You are then advised to get a PCR test to confirm your result as soon as possible.

You will need to submit evidence of your positive COVID test to queries@tastefestivals.com. Once you’ve done this, you will be given the option to reschedule your tickets and come and see us in 2022 instead (for either the summer, or winter edition of Taste).

 

HOW DO I SHOW NATURAL IMMUNITY?

Proof of natural immunity is based upon a positive PCR test taken within 180 days of the event (including 10 days self-isolation following the result). On arrival, please show evidence of your positive PCR test result which must have been taken at least 11 days prior to your arrival at the festival, to confirm you have completed a 10-day isolation period.

 

WHAT IF I AM NOT VACCINATED OR HAVE NOT CARRIED OUT A LATERAL FLOW TEST BEFORE MY ARRIVAL?

As part of our event entry procedure, all of our visitors and staff must show evidence of being of being fully-vaccinated, naturally immune or having tested negative for COVID-19 in the last 24 hours.

For anyone who doesn’t have the required proof on arrival, we will have a lateral flow testing facility at the festival where you will need to complete the lateral flow test and provide a negative result before gaining entry into the event. This will delay your entry into the festival by at least 30 minutes while you wait for your result so we seriously recommend doing your own test at home in advance to avoid missing out on valuable feasting and dancing time.

 

MY CHILDREN ARE UNDER 12; WHAT DO WE DO?

Children who are 12 years old or over will need to show a negative lateral flow test result before they can enter the festival. If you are with kids under 12, they don’t need to bring anything extra and can head straight in.

 

WHAT IF I AM SELF ISOLATING?

If you have been advised to self-isolate, PLEASE DO NOT COME TO THE FESTIVAL. You will need to submit evidence that you have been requested to self-isolate to queries@tastefestivals.com. Once you’ve done this, you will be given the option to reschedule your tickets and come and see us in 2022 instead (for either the summer, or winter edition of Taste).

 

WHAT IF I HAVE COVID-19 SYMPTOMS?

If you have COVID-19 symptoms, DO NOT COME TO THE FESTIVAL. You are advised to get a PCR test as soon as possible and stay at home; more information can be found here. We hope you feel better soon.

 

WILL THERE BE EXTRA MEASURES IN PLACE AT THE FESTIVAL THIS YEAR?

We want to provide an amazing experience for our festival-goers, and so we will be following government guidelines closely to ensure COVID-19 standards are met, whilst feasting. We are working with the local authorities and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) to ensure the event has procedures in place to reduce the risk of COVID-19.

All our staff will be tested regularly and will be asked to wear a face covering when social distancing cannot be maintained, unless medically exempt. We will have additional security and COVID-19 health checks in place and will provide hand sanitising facilities across the site as well as implementing stringent cleaning procedures and keeping the doors open for ventilation. With the doors open it’s bound to get quite chilly, so please bring extra layers and wrap up warm.

On arrival, you will be encouraged to ‘check in’ on arrival using the NHS Test and Trace App.

 

SHOULD I WEAR A MASK AND / OR PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING DURING THE FESTIVAL?

At the moment, masks are not mandatory in England, but you are of course welcome to wear one if you would like. Just remember to pull it down before you eat your first dish! Whilst there is no social distancing enforced, we do ask that festival-goers respect each other’s personal space.

 

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE 2021 FESTIVAL IS UNABLE TO TAKE PLACE DUE TO COVID-19?

In the event that we cannot go ahead due to COVID-19, ticket holders will be given the option to  reschedule their tickets to Taste of London 2022 (for either the summer, or winter edition). Here’s hoping that this won’t happen, but it’s always best to plan just in case.

 

For any other enquiries, please email queries@tastefestivals.com