UK PonyCon 2021: Change to entry requirements - evidence of vaccination, negative test or natural immunity required
In response to new guidance from the UK Government, we are updating the entry requirements for UK PonyCon 2021. All those aged 18 and over must provide evidence of vaccination, negative test or natural immunity via recent infection, unless medically exempt from both vaccination and testing. The easiest way to demonstrate this for residents of England is via the NHS Covid Pass in the NHS app. Other forms of evidence will be accepted. Please see the questions and answers below for further information.
We encourage everyone to take a rapid lateral flow test before beginning their journey to the convention, including those able to satisfy our entry requirements via vaccination or natural immunity.
People showing any COVID-19 symptoms, however mild, must not travel to or attend UK PonyCon. The main symptoms of COVID-19 are a high temperature, a new, continuous cough and a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste. If you experience any of these symptoms, follow government guidance, seek a test and get medical help if necessary. If you develop COVID-19 symptoms during the convention, you must leave and should follow NHS guidelines to isolate and take a PCR test. People instructed to self-isolate must not travel to or attend UK PonyCon.
Our COVID-19 Ticket Promise will refund your ticket or transfer it to the next convention if you are not able to attend UK PonyCon due to showing symptoms or self-isolating, or need to leave early due to developing symptoms. Please contact us at store@ukponycon.co.uk to make a request.
How do I get an NHS Covid Pass?
Please visit the NHS website at the link below for information on how to obtain an NHS Covid Pass. This is for residents of England.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/covid-pass/
Why are you restricting entry to UK PonyCon?
By requiring evidence of vaccination, a negative test or natural immunity, we are reducing the risk of Covid-19 transmission at the convention. It does not eliminate the risk.
Does this entry requirement apply to children?
No. These entry requirements apply only to people aged 18 and over.
Children aged 17 and under do not have to demonstrate their Covid status, however we encourage everyone to take personal responsibility for reducing the risk of transmission by performing a lateral flow test before beginning their journey to UK PonyCon, including children under the supervision of a competent adult.
What do you mean by evidence of vaccination?
By evidence of vaccination, we mean documentation that shows you have received the full course of a UK or EU approved vaccine against Covid-19. This is two doses for the Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Moderna vaccines, or one dose for the Janssen vaccine. The final dose must have been administered on or before Friday 24th September 2021.
The easiest way for a resident of England to demonstrate their vaccination status is with the NHS COVID Pass in the NHS App, NHS website or as a letter that can be requested by calling 119.
People who have received a trial vaccine as part of a formally-approved COVID-19 vaccine trial in the UK will be able to prove their status through the NHS COVID Pass or with a letter confirming their participation in the trial. Those who have participated in a clinical vaccination trial have been provided with a letter from their clinical research site.
People from the rest of the UK and other countries can show letters, emails or apps issued by organisations appropriate to their country of residence that state their vaccination status.
The credit-card sized vaccination appointment card issued during your vaccination appointment will not be accepted as evidence of vaccination.
What do you mean by evidence of a negative test?
By evidence of a negative test, we mean a negative result for a rapid lateral flow test or PCR test, designed to test for the presence of Covid-19. The test must have been taken no earlier than 10:00 on Thursday 7th October 2021.
The NHS in England offers free lateral flow test kits that can be posted to your home or collected from pharmacies. Results from tests taken using these kits must be reported online in order to obtain evidence of your result. For further information on how to get a free lateral flow test kit, please visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing/regular-rapid-coronavirus-tests-if-you-do-not-have-symptoms/
The easiest way for a resident of England to demonstrate their negative test result is with the NHS COVID Pass in the NHS App, or the email or SMS messages sent by the NHS after reporting a negative result.
People from the rest of the UK and other countries can show letters, emails, SMS messages or apps issued by organisations appropriate to their country of residence or the organisation conducting the test.
Do not bring used lateral flow test cartridges to the convention.
What do you mean by evidence of natural immunity?
By evidence of natural immunity, we mean evidence of a positive PCR test within the past 6 months (180 days) and after you have completed self-isolation. For UK PonyCon 2021, this means your positive test result must be after 12th April 2021 and before 29th September 2021.
“Natural immunity” may also be described as “recovery after a positive test”.
The easiest way for a resident of England to demonstrate their natural immunity is with the NHS COVID Pass in the NHS App, or the email or SMS messages sent by the NHS.
People from the rest of the UK and other countries can show letters, emails, SMS messages or apps issued by organisations appropriate to their country of residence or the organisation conducting the test.
What if I’m exempt from vaccination?
If you have not been vaccinated, you must take a Covid test and obtain the evidence of a negative result.
What if I’m exempt from vaccination and testing?
A very small number of people are exempt from both vaccination and testing. When you arrive at the convention, our team will ask you if you are able to provide evidence of your Covid status. Clearly state that you are exempt from both vaccination and testing. No evidence or medical details will be required.
Is testing available at UK PonyCon?
No, we do not have provision for testing at UK PonyCon. Refer to the NHS website at the link below for multiple pharmacies in Nottingham that offer free lateral flow test kits. The postcode for the venue is NG1 4BU. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing/regular-rapid-coronavirus-tests-if-you-do-not-have-symptoms/
You previously stated only evidence of vaccination would be accepted - why have you changed the entry requirements?
We stated we would follow Government advice and continue to do so.
On Sunday 5th September, a Government minister reiterated their intention to introduce a requirement for evidence of vaccination for entry to nightclubs and venues with similar characteristics from 1st October. Given this strong statement of support for the scheme, and trusting that the Government would make available tools to allow the secure and easy verification of vaccine status in the NHS Covid Pass, we decided to follow the guidance and communicated this decision on 6th September.
Seven days later on Sunday 12th September, a Government minister announced the scheme would be scrapped. On Tuesday 14th September, the Government made a statement in the House of Commons with further information on their Covid Winter Plan. With this changed guidance, and lack of a secure and easy method for verifying that a NHS Covid Pass was issued due to vaccination (and not a negative test), we must change our entry requirements. The new entry requirements continue to reduce the risk of transmission compared to no checks.
Could entry requirements change again?
Yes. In their Covid Winter Plan, the Government states they may reintroduce vaccine passports for events with one week notice if pressures on the NHS become unsustainable. If the Government does this, we will change back to requiring evidence of vaccination.
Should you no longer be able to attend as a result of a change in entry requirements, our Covid-19 Ticket Promise will apply and we will refund your ticket or transfer it to the next event. Please contact us at store@ukponycon.co.uk to make a request.
What are you doing to reduce the risk of transmission of Covid-19?
In collaboration with the venue, we’re taking numerous steps to address risks of Covid-19 transmission:
Requiring evidence of vaccination, negative test or natural immunity from all adults aged 18 and over, unless exempt from both vaccination and testing
Hand sanitiser points
Increased cleaning, with cleaners on-site throughout the event
Gaps in the event schedule, to allow periodic cleaning of events rooms
Reduced number of attendees
More space in the stalls area
