5 August, 2020

Concert experiment to set framework for large-scale events during pandemic

Drum kit set up on a stage with a crowd in the backgroundhttp://195.154.178.81/DATA/i_collage/pi/shoots/782610.jpg

By Alexandra Coulton

Thousands of concert attendees are to be used as guineapigs to provide insights into how large indoor events can be held in the ‘new normal’.

German scientists are recruiting 4,000 music fans to attend a concert with singer-songwriter Tim Bendzko at an indoor stadium in Leipzig on 22 August. But there’s a catch.

Each attendee must wear a small tracking device around their necks and fluorescent disinfectant so scientists can collect data on the most effective way to hold large events while COVID-19 is still active.

According to The Guardian, the participants, who will be aged between 18 and 50 will wear necklaces with matchstick-sized contact tracer devices attached to them that will send out a signal every five-seconds to give an insight into the concert-goers’ movements.

They will also be asked to sanitise their hands with fluorescent hand-sanitiser not only for extra protection but also to show scientists high contact points where smear infection is likely to take place.

On top of this, scientists plan on using a fog machine to show possible air spreading of COVID-19.

All participants will be tested for the virus before 48 hours before they attend the experiment and will each be given a face mask with an exhalation valve.

To make sure the event doesn’t accidentally trigger an outbreak, those who cannot provide proof of a negative test will be denied entry.

In exchange for the free concert, attendees will also have to act out three scenarios in the stadium, with the first done as they would have in pre-virus times, the second with staggered entry and leaving every second seat empty, and the third allowing only 2,000 people to attend and having them sit 1.5 meters apart.

The scientists behind the experiment told the Guardian the aim is to give a framework for how larger cultural and sports events could be held without endangering attendees.

“We are trying to find out if there could be a middle way between the old and the new normal that would allow organisers to fit enough people into a concert venue to not make a loss,” said Stefan Moritz, the head of clinical infectious diseases at the University hospital in Halle and the experiment’s coordinator.

Scientists are hoping to have their findings ready by October.

Featured image source: iStock/PeopleImages

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COVID-19 germany large events