Liverpool public health director Matt Asthon defined the result as ‘undoubtedly a success’: ‘definitely groups of people who were infected afterwards’, but the people ‘were known to each other, so it is also possible that those people got it after the events’. Professor Ian Buchan from the University of Liverpool, who assessed the pilots, stated: ‘timely data and quick action to trace and test contacts of people testing positive, both before and after events, was key to containing potential outbreaks.’

Moreover, attendees did not practice social distancing or wore face masks and were encouraged to take both PCR and a lateral flow test the day of the event and five days later. As these events could encourage a faster and more secure approach to events, Asthon said the reopening of the entertainment industry is ‘incredibly complex and difficult’ but also ‘incredibly important’. He said the data showed lateral flow tests ‘will be a key part of the jigsaw’ but ‘really close working’ between event promoters, local public health teams ‘and a range of partners’ will also be central to making sure events run safely.

Both events included five people unable to attend because of a positive test, four identified positive at an event and seven tested positive four to seven days after the event. Unfortunately, the events saw individually between 25% and 43% of attendees returning the lab a PCR test. The government is planning to gather more data after 10,000 fans will be gathered at Download Festival from June 18th to June 20th.

‘While the club shows and the Sefton Park pilot were effectively events that were designed to ensure the enablement of reopening on June 21, the camping event, because it’s three or four days, will actually be about testing the protocol of how to deal with anyone that might have Covid at the event. It’s about testing the protocols around using Covid certification on the NHS app, and it’s also around testing the protocols of what the SAGE [Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies] scientists here in the UK want, which is at-home testing for all attendees that don’t have the vaccination and that are not immune.’ The organiser explains.

The area that could cause potential trouble is not the venue itself, because the organisers will know how to look after the crowd while respecting the guidelines, but public transports: ‘It’s large amounts of people squashed, with no circulation, on buses coming into Glasgow city centre, or coming on tubes into Wembley Stadium,’ he stated. ‘I believe that’s the area they are more concerned about, compared to the actual venues themselves – particularly outdoor venues.’

Benn hopes that the event could potentially take place in mid-June. While being aware that politicians are ‘are a little more reticent’ about this proposal, he is sure that ‘the scientists will persuade them, because [home testing] is the only practical way forward’ he stated, admitting that enough of the UK population is vaccinated. ‘Remarkably, the UK Government appears to have a coherent plan, and it seems like we’re going in a good direction.’