The UK is going to trial a 5,000 person festival with no social distancing.
Festival Republic are the organisers behind the event, and they promote other events such as Latitude, Wireless and Reading and Leeds Festivals.
It’s being held as part of the UK government’s Events Research Programme (ERP) that’s aimed at gathering data on the viability of reopening the events industry safely with a number of pilot test events.
Prior to arrival at the festival, ticket holders must produce a negative COVID-19 flow test result. Vaccine passports are not being trialled for use at the event.
Attendees will not be required to wear a face mask or maintain social distancing anywhere on the festival site.
The event will be studied by scientists who are, “looking to see if and how crowds mixing outdoors increases the risk of transmission of COVID-19.”
Discussing the event, Festival Republic Managing Director, Melvin Benn said: “This event is not about pushing vaccines or passports, we do not want to limit attendance to our events in any way. Working with the government we want to create a universal blueprint for reopening and demonstrate we can do it safely. Live music is a vital part of so many people’s lives. This event is the first step in getting festivals back on track this year. It’s about demonstrating our absolute commitment that we can and will open on June 21st. We want to get festival fans back at events safely this year. We all need a summer of live music.”
Oliver Dowden is the UK’s Culture Secretary, and he said: “We’re one step closer to a summer of live events now our science-led programme is underway. Testing different settings and looking at different mitigations is key to getting crowds back safely and the Sefton Park pilot is an important addition to the programme.
“After many months without live audiences, Festival Republic are bringing live music back to fans with this very special event and I hope it won’t be too much longer until gigs are back for good.”
Tickets are priced at £29.50 and are only available to residents of the Liverpool city region, with other entry terms and conditions applying. Find out more HERE.
H/T: Mixmag
