Original Article: https://thequietus.com/articles/29722-liverpool-large-events-covid-19-pilot
With new COVID safe measures being trialled in both Barcelona and in Amsterdam to gauge whether the world is ready to make a return to clubs and wider nightlife, it seems it’s time for the UK to test it’s ability to manage the pandemic.
As of next month, an Events Research Programme (ERP) will hold a series of controlled club nights in Liverpool to test whether the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown is set to be a realistic goal for getting back to dancing in our favourite venues.
Some volunteers will be invited to enjoy themselves in reduced COVID-19 restrictions, with social distancing measures set to be removed in a number of Liverpool’s nightclubs and theatres. Whereas, some guests will still have to abide by distancing rules and others will be placed in circumstances which will allow researchers to see how different forms of distancing, mask-wearing and ventilation may affect the spread of COVID.
Volunteers with have to provide a negative covid test before attending and take another after the event in order to gauge results and whether the close proximities of clubbing environments will still be impacted by coronavirus.
In an interview with the BBC, Claire McColgan, Liverpool’s Director of Culture and Tourism, said: “Our experience as the pilot city for mass testing means we have the knowledge and infrastructure in place to deliver complicated projects safely, and we really hope we can help provide the evidence needed to ensure the wider sector is able to open across the country in the coming months.”