With restrictive rules loosening already as we begin the government’s roadmap out of lockdown, talk of festival life is beginning to pick up. As we look at hosting smaller indoor events from 17 May and even larger events from possibly as soon as 21 June, it’s easy to get excited at the prospect of picking up our camera and setting out to celebrate music and art and all things festival.
But as several other nations head back into lockdown after loosening restrictions, one question has popped up again and again: should we hold events after lockdown?
Should we hold events?
The repeated pattern in the UK so far is a reduced amount of Covid-19 cases throughout lockdown and then a significant rise once restrictions have been lowered before we head into yet another lockdown. It’s not unlikely that this will once again be the case should festivals continue to take place as they used to.
That being said, everyone has their own story about how the pandemic has affected them. Covid-19 hasn’t just rampaged throughout the globe and all its citizens, but industries everywhere have felt the toll taken from the restrictions of lockdown. Cultural industries such as theatres, museums and music venues have felt this possibly harder than anyone else. Tickets refunded, show dates pushed back time after time and sometimes even cancelled, many have lost their jobs as lockdown forbids them from operating at all.
It comes to a point where the economy and the livelihood of the UK’s citizens must be accounted for. As the rules loosen up and vaccines continue to roll out, it’s not a question of if we should hold events, but how we should.
UK festivals 2021
UK festivals can mean many things. From camping outside for music festivals to packed streets and galleries for art and photography festivals, it’s clear that festival life during a pandemic can’t be the same as it once was.
Festivals such as the Reading and Leeds music festivals featuring major stars such as Liam Gallagher and Post are still being advertised with dates of 27-29 August. In fact, the Reading Festival has already sold out with Leeds not far behind it, and it’s hard to believe that Covid-19 is really on the mind of festival-goers. After a whole year in and out of lockdown, it’s easy to see how this can go wrong. In the mad scramble for social interaction and the passion for music, social distancing rules and regulations are easily ignored. So in an ideal world, how could we host and attend festivals in 2021?
Vaccine passports
One of the more recent proposals was that of a vaccine passport. This temporary measure could help regulate any events such as festivals, as only those who have a vaccination card are allowed to enter.
On one hand, this could be effective as only those considered immune are allowed to take part in such events. However, as the priority system targets mainly essential workers or people at risk, chances are there’ll be a variety of people who would like to attend the festival and cannot, causing eventual backlash. Furthermore, there’s no saying the people who get into the event will have a legitimate passport, and some festival-goers may not be immune.
In concept, the passport system seems like a good idea, but in reality, there are too many grey areas and conditions where the system fails. If this system were to be used, it should likely be a last resort.
Reduced capacity
Something we’re all used to by now is the reduced capacity available in certain shops and events. From the very beginning of lockdown, queues were formed as shops and supermarkets hit their limited capacity. Where that worked before, it will likely work again.
Having a reduced capacity means there will be fewer people inside any venue. Fewer people means a lower chance of any infection spreading and on top of that, more space for social distancing guidelines to be followed.
However, as with the passport system, a reduced capacity means many will miss out on the event itself, which will likely cause a backlash. This system also requires a bit of policing, as people have been known to sneak into festivals and as larger events are allowed, it is down to the hosts to manage how many people are allowed to enter.
Video events
Another potential fix to help run festivals smoothly is the use of video in events. A big trend throughout the many lockdowns has been online events that anyone can attend from anywhere in the country or even the world.
While many of us are itching to get outside and have some fun, the reality of the pandemic should not be ignored. By videoing an event and streaming it online or even on television, festivals can still make money while people are provided with live entertainment. This could also promote smaller events such as family parties which reduces the spread of the virus when compared to larger, packed festivals.
If you’re interested in setting up a broadcast or streaming your festival to help reduce the spread of Covid-19 after lockdown, Splento offers a professional videography service for affordable prices. More information on that can be found here.
As rules loosen on the roadmap out of lockdown, it’s important not just to help boost the economy, moral and social interaction, but to continue to reduce the spread of Covid-19.
If you find yourself attending a festival this summer, make sure to follow all guidelines and do your part in helping reduce the spread.
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