Loughborough Uni led study hopes to help kick-start large-scale events
Researchers believe ventilation could be key to stopping the spread of Covid
A new Loughborough Uni led study hopes to create clear guidance for venues on how to minimise the risk of airbone transmission of Covid-19 and other viruses.
The government funded AIRBODS (Airborne Infection Reduction through Building Operation and Design for SARS-CoV-2) project will include analysing data from several test venues including the O2 arena and Wembley stadium.
Researchers are already examining data from a test nightclub event in Liverpool and the Crucible's Snooker World Championship.
The 18-month study is being led by Loughborough’s Professor Malcolm Cook, in partnership with University College London, the University of Cambridge, the University of Nottingham, the University of Sheffield and London South Bank University.
Speaking about the research, Professor Cook said: “Getting our lives back to some sense of normal following the pandemic is a huge challenge and doing it in a safe and measured way even more so.
“The large-scale events industry has been shut down for over a year. The work we are doing will help get these types of events and venues back up and running in a safe way, providing scientifically proven information and advice on ventilation and building management, to reduce the risk of airborne transmission of Covid-19, and other viruses, as much as possible.
“But it will not only benefit this sector, it can be used in all non-domestic settings, including healthcare, education and retail. Our approach to the research will also mean the knowledge and tools we generate will be relevant for the mitigation of a wide range of airborne hazards across the spectrum of indoor environments for many years to come.
“The data we have already been able to collect from the events in Liverpool and Sheffield is proving very interesting and we look forward to learning as much as we can from it.”