Leadership / 05.05.21

Thousands Pack Music Festival Without Masks or Distancing in COVID Test Event

Access Staff

Mirror (UK) (05/03/21) Kitching, Chris; Gammie, Joe; Browne, Amy

Roughly 5,000 fans attended a sold-out music festival at Sefton Park in Liverpool on May 2, which was the first live event performed before a large audience since lockdowns were imposed in Britain 14 months ago. Attendees did not have to wear face masks or social distance during the COVID test event, although everyone had to present negative coronavirus tests to enter the outdoor gig. Ticket-holders were required to take a rapid lateral flow test before admission, while staff wore masks and clear plastic shields as they sold beverages to revelers. Attendees will be asked to take a test following the event to collect further evidence on the safety of outdoor settings, reduced social distancing, and the removal of non-pharmaceutical safeguards like face coverings, according to the Department of Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport. They must provide contact details for NHS Test and Trace to guarantee that everyone can be traced in case of a positive test. Researchers at the festival also will analyze the movements and behavior of the crowd as part of the program. "Today is a momentous occasion to celebrate as fans get their first taste of a music festival for more than a year — and all in the name of science," declared Culture Minister Caroline Dinenage.

Read the full story from Mirror (UK). 

Tags: Music , News , COVID-19 , Coronavirus