Features

UK Government’s final Events Research programme findings published

The UK Government recently published its final reports from the Events Research Programme (ERP) with findings on the spread of COVID-19 at sporting and live music events that took place with restrictions in place and once they were lifted. 

The report found that improvements to strategies surrounding air quality and ventilation would help to mitigate the risk of transmission. It also found that there was little evidence of increased transmission at outdoor seat and partially seated events, as well as certain seated theatre events. 

The research programme was split into three phases, with the original phase running from April 17 until May 15 and consisted of nine pilot events that ran across multiple days, inside and outside. There were variations of seated, standing, structured and unstructured audiences. 

Phase two and three ran between June 10 and July 25 to build on the findings from the first phases. These events tested the use of the NHS Covid Pass, vaccination status and providing a negative test in real-life situations. 

Between April and July this year, a total of 31 pilot events were conducted across England, with over two million participants involved. The events included the FA Cup Final, the BRIT Awards, the British Formula 1 Grand Prix, Latitude Festival, UEFA EURO 2020, Wimbledon Tennis Championships (pictured) theatre performances and nightclub events.

Data collected focused on CO2 measurements, airflow, occupancy levels, crowd density estimates and adherence to mitigations like face coverings and crowd movements. 

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