Ofcom is to fast track applications for drive-in services including movies and church services.
There’s been an increase in demand for such services since restrictions on public life were imposed as a result of the coronavirus lockdown.
The regulator believes drive-in events may be a way for people to come together and still observe social distancing, though the rules on how the events themselves are organised will be subject to rules that may differ according to where in the UK they are held.
Drive-in services need a ‘restricted service licence’ from Ofcom so that people in their cars can hear the movie soundtrack, or what is being said, on their car radios. Some event organisers issue headsets to attendees, though that might not be practicable under the current rules.
Ofcom says it will now accept applications that are for events being planned sooner than the normal 60 day waiting period and it will attempt to process them within 14 days.
