Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, in developing their COVID-19 recovery strategy, what assessment they have made of the risks of cross-infection through outdoor education activities compared to activities delivered by the rest of the hospitality sector; and what assessment they have made of whether the outdoor education sector should be reopened as part of phase two of the recovery strategy.

We will look at opening outdoor education activities along with the wider hospitality sector in Step 3 of the government’s recovery strategy, currently planned for 4 July. This will be subject to the further scientific advice and the latest risk assessment at the time.

My Department has launched the Cultural Renewal Taskforce to help our sectors’ businesses prepare to reopen when it is safe to do so. Within this taskforce, we have set up a Visitor Economy Working Group to specifically focus on the practicalities and guidelines for restarting tourism activity during the recovery period. We remain in regular contact with outdoor hospitality stakeholders.

The Department for Education is currently advising that professional outdoor education and adventure holiday providers that would usually offer activities for schools and/or summer holiday activities to children should remain closed for the time being.