| We’ve all had that feeling during awful events as workers or attendees where we can’t wait for the curtains to close on the final performance or the doors to shut after the crowd have gone home, the feeling of just wanting it to be over… which we’re sure is a feeling everyone can identify with in regard to Covid-19 right now, as the virus’ encore seems to be never ending.
Despite the setbacks of the last year, there is plenty happening at home and abroad to take encouragement from, while on the route back to normality. The UK and European event industry’s have already begun the process of opening back up with trial events taking place over the last few weeks in Amsterdam, while Circus in welcomed 6,000 clubbers over a two day period at a rave event where there was no social distancing or protective face masks required. It is hoped the result of the event (which was part of an Events Research Programme (ERP) to provide data on how events for a range of audiences could be permitted to safely re-open) will lead the way for more clubs to open across the UK. One of the most exciting parts of the build-up to an event is line-up announcements. With AVA releasing their line-up for the two-day event in Belfast this September, it is a good given indication of things to come, looking to the future. The line-up is littered with talented electronic music artists, Irish and international alike. Leinster Rugby have made a request to host a trial game with a limited capacity of 2,000 in attendance. By making an attempt at holding an event with limited capacity, it would be a boost for the industry in its efforts to figure out how to safely accommodate spectators at events during the pandemic: Following Leinster’s appeal to host a trial game with fans in attendance it was suggested that the meeting of Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick’s Athletic on May 7 could potentially see a portion of fans allowed in but more likely is the later clash of Dundalk and Rovers at Oriel Park on May 21. Using the Leinster benchmark, the attendance would equate to 500 fans. Once the FAI can prove games are managed safety, crowds will gradually return for all fixtures in the Premier and First Division. An FAI spokesperson said about Leinster’s application to the health authorities: “The association is currently investigating similar initiatives to accelerate the return to watch for our fans and will seek to trial one of these initiatives around an upcoming League of Ireland fixture.” |
