1,300 people attend event in Amsterdam for study on returning to the dancefloor

1,300 people attended a COVID-19 study event in Amsterdam this weekend.

Following the Dutch government’s announcement that festivals should be possible in the Netherlands from July, a trial event with 1,300 attendees took place on Saturday (6th) at Amsterdam’s Ziggo Dome, with the aim of supporting the government in its lockdown easing decisions.

The Ziggo Dome opened its doors for four hours at the weekend, with the guests divided into five groups of 250 people, plus one of 50, with each “bubble” given a different set of rules. All the attendees had to present a negative test for coronavirus 48 hours before the event. 

All movements and contacts were traced on the night, with precautions in place such as one group wearing masks, and another drinking flourescent drinks to study saliva spread and reach. Attendees will be required to take another coronavirus test this coming week.

The study was coordinated by Fieldlab for the Netherlands Government, who told The Guardian: “We hope this can lead to a tailor-made reopening of venues. Measures are now generic, allowing for instance a maximum of 100 guests at any event if coronavirus infections drop to a certain level. We hope for more specific measures, such as allowing the Ziggo Dome to open at half its capacity.”

Elsewhere, festivals scheduled to take place in England this summer are selling out at a rapid rate following the Government’s announcement of its roadmap out of lockdown last week.

(Photo: Ziggo Dome)