On March 27, a test concert was organized in front of 5,000 people in Barcelona with the group Love of Lesbian. A month later, the organizers reveal that “no sign” of contagion was detected while the spectators were all masked and danced without distancing measures. Experiments of this nature should soon take place in France.
- “With optimized ventilation, antigenic tests and the wearing of a mask, we can guarantee a safe space”, assures a doctor participating in the organization of the event.
- In France, test concerts are planned in Paris and Marseille in May.
It’s good news. In view of the reopening of the world of culture, a test concert by the rock group Love of Lesbian was organized in Barcelona on March 27 in front of 5,000 masked people who danced without respecting social distancing. This Tuesday, April 27, a month later, the organizers announced at a press conference that “no sign” of contagion was detected.
5,000 gràcies per acompanyar-nos ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ en aquesta prova pilot que ens dona la vida! Beginning @loveoflesbian #FestivalsPerLaCulturaSegura #LolSantJordi pic.twitter.com/B5BODrsHXb
— Palau Sant Jordi (@PalauSantJordi) March 27, 2021
A safe space
Before the concert, the attendees were all antigen tested and no positive people were allowed to attend the show. During the show, everyone wore an FFP2 mask and the ventilation as well as the reception capacities in critical places such as the toilets were strictly controlled. The event was organized by a group of festivals, music promoters and the Germans Trias i Pujol hospital, who wanted to show that it is possible to organize concerts despite the pandemic.
Two weeks after the concert, each of the spectators took a PCR test. They revealed six positive cases but “pFor four of these six cases, the transmission did not take place during the concert”, affirmed Josep Maria Llibre, doctor of the Germans Trias i Pujol hospital in Badalone. The latter is even convinced that none of these contaminations was linked during the concert. “There are no signs to suggest transmission occurred during the event, which was the focus of this studyhe said. With optimized ventilation, antigen testing and mask wearing, a safe space can be guaranteed.”
Test concerts in France in May
These results are a plea to reopen cultural life. “Once again, Barcelona and Barcelona culture are pioneers in an unprecedented situation where cultural activity must be preserved with all health guarantees.advances Jaume Collboni, first deputy of the town hall of Barcelona, during this press conference. It is possible to relax restrictions and combine this with cultural activities, which must resume.” Already in December, the same team of researchers organized a pilot project with 500 spectators. Several days later, none had contracted the coronavirus.
In France, test concerts are also planned, notably at the Dôme de Marseille and the Accor Hôtel Arena in Paris. These two events, initially scheduled for March and April, have been postponed. “In Marseille, Inserm researchers are still waiting for one or two authorizations from the Ministry of Health and we hope to be able to organize our two concerts in May.”, had declared, at the beginning of April, the emergency doctor Vincent Estornel at the origin of this project which must bring together twice 1,000 spectators at the Dôme. In Paris, the concert should bring together 5,000 people and should be held at the end of May, two months after the date initially planned.
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