“Low To Very Low” Risk Of Spreading Covid At Indoor Gigs, German Study Finds

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A new study, conducted in Germany, found that transmission of coronavirus in an indoor gig environment poses a “low to very low” risk to attendees of contracting the disease.

The Restart-19 experiment was carried out by scientists from Halle University in Germany, who looked at three successive gigs held by German pop singer Tim Bendzko in August. The results of the study have now been shared, finding that transmission is “low” as long as attendees follow correct hygiene procedures, venues limit capacity, and have good ventilation.

The 1,400 volunteers took part in the study were all pre-tested for Covid-19 and had their temperatures taken. All participants wore a mask, had a digital location tracker, and used hand sanitiser that contained fluorescent dye in. The location tracker was used to spot hotspots in the venue where overcrowding took place, while the fluorescent hand sanitiser was used to help the scientists track surface contact.

The first of the three gigs simulated an event pre-pandemic, with no safety measures in place. The second night implemented greater hygiene practices and some social distancing. The third night involved half the numbers with each person standing/seated 1.5m apart.

Talking with The New York Times, one of the researchers, Dr. Michael Gekle said “There is no argument for not having such a concert. The risk of getting infected is very low”

The most crucial factor in limited the spread of Covid-19 was ventilation, the study concluded. In one scenario jet nozzles blasted fresh air through the venue. While in another scenario “fresh air was sucked into the arena from the rooftop and the jet nozzles were switched off”. The study measured that the risk of being exposed, was far greater in the second scenario.

The study also found that social distancing was important to limiting a person’s exposure to an infectious persons aerosols. The study found that the period with the most close contact was during breaks and when the volunteers first arrived at the venue.

Dr Gabriel Scally, president of epidemiology and public health at the Royal Society of Medicine, told The New York Times, that while the results are “potentially useful”, he warned that the context could be tricky to emulate at normal events.

The study has not yet been peer reviewed. The study can be read here.