FESTIVALS have already started to confirm they will go ahead this summer as Covid restrictions get set to lift from June 21.
But with Boris Johnson determined to create a "one way road to freedom" and avoid a resurgence of the bug, the events are likely to see a host of safety measures in place.
? Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates…
Up until now, festival organisers have stayed under the radar with their plans for 2021.
But after the Government announced all lockdown restrictions could be lifted in June, the likes of Reading and Leeds and Bestival have said they will go ahead.
The new freedoms could mean longer queues on entry, while staff may needed to be trained to ensure Covid safety. Here's what could happen..
Rapid Testing
To ensure festival goers do not have Covid when they arrive, music fans could be required to have their temperature checked and take a rapid test upon entry.
One option could be the new five-minute Covid test developed by British biotech firm Avacta.
The test gives results in just five minutes, which is six times faster than kits developed by US company Innova already in use across the UK.
But the measures would likely make queues to tents even longer than normal and would require staff being trained for the job.
Another "ticket and test" scenario could see lateral tests would be sent out with tickets to live events and used the day beforehand — with a refund for a positive result.
Vaccine Passports
Boris Johnson is understood to back plans to use “Covid Status Certificates” for big ticketed events including gigs.
Ministers are looking at adapting the NHS Covid-19 app to show jab status and test results — with encryption to keep data secure and facial recognition to prevent cheating.
A Whitehall source said: “The PM is keen to make sure they are only necessary for big ticket events and not in small local businesses.
“Many in government feel very uncomfortable about punters being asked to show their papers to enter a pub.”
But as jab passports are considered, some fear they might be seen as “facilitating discrimination” in minority communities where jab uptake is lower.
Masks and Social Distancing
While some music fans may still choose to wear masks, if all goes to plan, festival goers in England might not have to bring their face covering or stay 1m apart after June 21.
In its roadmap, the Government says: "Ahead of Step 4 (June 21), as more is understood about the impact of vaccines on transmission and a far greater proportion of the population has been vaccinated, the Government will complete a review of social distancing measures and other long-term measures that have been put in place to limit transmission."
It continues: "The results of the review will help inform decisions on the timing and circumstances under which rules on 1m+, face masks and other measures may be lifted."
Medical Tents
Event organisers will likely need to bump up their medical offering as measures like on-site temperature checks and rapid testing would create a lot of extra work.
The measures would require trained staff to conduct the tests while more first aid tents would be needed for fans complaining of Covid symptoms.
A large amount of PPE may also be needed to kit out medics on site.
Source: Read Full Article