5,000 to attend Liverpool gig in two weeks with no social distancing and masks
A government pilot event
A ‘near-normal’ concert with 5,000 attendees will take place in Liverpool in just two weeks’ time as part of a government pilot.
Headlined by indie band Blossoms and organised by Festival Republic and Culture Liverpool, the event at Sefton Park will take place on Sunday 2nd May and fans attending won’t need to wear face masks or socially distance from each other.
However, attendees will all need to provide proof of a negative Covid-19 to gain entry to the to the tent, which is operating at two-thirds of its 7,500 capacity.
Ticketholders will take a lateral flow test, which produces fast results in 30 minutes, at a local testing centre.
Additionally, they will need to take a second test after the event and provide their contact details to the NHS Test and Trace.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “We’re one step closer to a summer of live events now our science-led programme is under way.
“Testing different settings and looking at different mitigations is key to getting crowds back safely. The Sefton Park pilot is an important addition to the programme … I hope it won’t be too much longer until gigs are back for good.”
Health Secretary Matt Hancock added: “By trialling a range of measures to reduce transmission, we are able to gather vital evidence to inform our plans for allowing events in the future.
“I am hugely grateful to scientists and clinicians working hard across the country so we can start to enjoy these events again safely.”
Claire McColgan, director of Culture Liverpool, comments: ‘We should all be proud of the fact we’re part of this brave endeavour which looks to get this vital sector back up and running and resilient once again.’