The Government has published more information on the Events Research Programme, which is one of the four work streams established by Government to inform decisions on, certification, social distancing, International travel and restarting events. The aim of the research is to determine how a combination of testing and covid secure management can inform decisions on safely lifting restrictions at events.
The key points in the update are that:
- The first phase of 10-15 pilots are being held in April and May to inform decisions on the safe removal of social distancing from Step 4
- The pilots will be run across a range of settings, venue types, and activity types so that findings could support the full reopening of similar settings across multiple sectors
- The programme is overseen by an industry-led steering group co-chaired by Sir Nicholas Hytner and David Ross and working closely with national and local public health authorities.
- A Joint Programme Board will work across government to inform policy development on reopening sectors ahead of Step 4
- The ERP will look at a range of mitigating factors including test-on-entry protocols for use in determining how we can reopen larger venues safely
- The first pilot events are
- B FA Cup Semi Final, Wembley Stadium
- World Snooker Championship, Sheffield Crucible Theatre
- Luna Cinema, Liverpool
- League Cup Final
- ACC Business Event, Liverpool
- Circus Nightclub, Liverpool
- FA Cup Final, Wembley Stadium
- Outdoor gig, Sefton Park Liverpool
Findings will be reported to the Prime Minister to feed into wider discussions around Step 4 of the lockdown restrictions.
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