Social distancing ‘not needed at big events’, Boris Johnson to be told

Leicester City v Southampton - FA Cup - Semi Final - Wembley Stadium
PA
Leah Sinclair30 April 2021

Boris Johnson will be told that social distancing measures for large-scale events can be ditched from June 21, after initial results from a pilot scheme discovered no spike in Covid cases among attendees.

The prime minister will be informed next week that crowds can safely return to larger events without distancing, the Telegraph reports.

An interim report will advise Mr Johnson that mass events can occur safely providing measures, such as staggering entries and good ventilation, are in place.

Government scientists have been observing the impact of allowing crowds back to events after observing fans at the FA Cup semi-final, the Carabao Cup final and World Snooker Championship.

Four thousand people attended the FA Cup semi-final between Leicester City and Southampton, and 8,000 people at the Carabao Cup final between Manchester City and Tottenham, which were both played at Wembley this month.

A source familiar with the report told the paper that ministers will be informed that the pilots have shown "there are some effective ways to manage risk that could remove the need to have social distancing at events".

Measures due to be mentioned in the report include staggered entry, clear communication with attendees and sufficient ventilation at indoor venues.

An emphasis has also been put on testing, and for each trial, participants must take both a PCR and lateral flow test before and after the event.

It’s believed that the report will say that testing would be an integral part of reopening large events.

Mass gatherings have been trialled, both indoor and outdoor, in the hope that larger events can return from June 21, when the majority of restrictions are expected to end under Mr Johnson’s roadmap out of lockdown.

More pilot events are expected to take place next month.

It comes as the UK’s first nightclub event in over a year is due to be held in Liverpool on Friday and Saturday as part of the mass gathering pilot scheme.

The Circus nightclub will welcome 6,000 people over two days for its “The First Dance” event.

Clubbers will not be required to social distance or wear face coverings but will have to take a lateral flow test before entering the venue.

The event is part of the Events Research Programme (ERP), which will provide data on how events holding anywhere between hundreds and tens of thousands of people could safely reopen later this year.

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