Boardmasters 'monitoring' data amid reports of festival-goers testing positive for Covid
Organisers say it is too soon to tell if the event has had an impact on case rates in the area
Officials say it is too early to tell if Boardmasters has had an impact on coronavirus case rates in Newquay.
Reports have been circulating on social media about people testing positive after the event.
Organisers say they are monitoring the data closely, alongside Cornwall Council.
50,000 people descended on the town and Watergate Bay for the five-day event last week.
In the seven days to Saturday (14th August), the most recent weekly figures available, Newquay East had a case rate of over 1,174 per 100,000 people.
The latest case rates and figures for Cornwall can be found on Public Health England's interactive map.
In a statement, Boardmasters said they had worked closely with Cornwall Council's Public Health team, the NHS and other emergency services on a variety of measures to reduce the risk of infection.
The statement reads: "In addition to having the advantage of perhaps the best ventilated venue in the country, we asked festival goers to play their part in reducing the impact of potential infection by showing proof of full vaccination, a negative lateral flow test or immunity from having had the virus before they could join us on site.
"All staff, regardless of vaccination status, had to show a negative test every 48 hours and all campers were asked to re-test before they could come back into the arena on Friday.
"By giving those who had to isolate on festival dates, or who tested positive for COVID-19 before or during the festival, the ability to roll-over their tickets to 2022, we made sure they would not lose out by following the guidance and helping to reduce infections. We are processing over 450 requests from those affected and we are very grateful to them for doing their bit for the entire Boardmasters community.
"Like any town, we cannot eliminate risk entirely and, while it is still too early to see from the data if there has been any impact on Covid-19 cases, there are likely to be anecdotal reports of some people who were at the festival among those who test positive in the days following. Cornwall Council’s public health team will be closely monitoring the data in the coming weeks, as will we.
"We are delighted to have been able to bring the joy of world class music and surfing back to Cornwall, as well as helping our suppliers, traders, staff and artists to return to the jobs they love. The last report on the economic impact of Boardmasters found a benefit to the community of over £42 million and we have also been able to raise £65,000 for the Boardmasters foundation, which will support local community causes.
"We look forward to the opportunity of sharing our experience of running the festival in the current circumstances with other large events so we can all continue to provide much needed entertainment to our loyal audiences".
On Friday (20th August), Cornwall Council released the following statement: "The changes introduced from July 19th in Step 4 of the roadmap enabled a return to social and cultural activities such as music festivals.
"The Boardmasters festival was run in a risk managed way, however we are expecting an increase in Covid-19 cases in Cornwall.
"We are analysing the data closely as we have done throughout the pandemic.
"Our advice to residents, anyone visiting Cornwall, or anyone who attended Boardmasters remains the same – if you have Covid symptoms then isolate immediately and book a PCR test.
"Younger people may experience milder symptoms which include a sore throat, headache or fatigue. If you have no symptoms, please continue to test twice a week with rapid Lateral Flow Tests which are available for free from pharmacies or can be delivered to your home".