On April 30, approximately 3,000 people attended the UK’s first Covid-free club since the start of the pandemic. The Liverpool event is part of a scientific trial to determine how and if social distancing could safely end.
Since the coronavirus epidemic hit the UK in March 2020, nightclubs have had their doors closed. Last year’s summer was full of illegal raves which caused a nightmare for both the police and policy-makers in Britain.
Human Guinea Pigs
The initial club event spanned over two days, followed by another event on May 1st which was also attended by thousands. The event itself endeavours to monitor the spread of the virus, with attendees being tested for Covid five days post-event. The New York Times explained,
“Some academics had criticized the nights as “human guinea-pig experiments,” but Iain Buchan of the University of Liverpool, the scientist leading the trials, insisted Covid-19 rates in Britain were so low that the chances of an outbreak were slim.”
Prior to the event, 69 cases were officially reported in Liverpool.
“The risk of encountering someone positive in there might be 1 in 5,000.”
Source: The New York Times
To be granted entry into the event, locals were required to take a lateral flow Covid-19 test at one of four testing clinics in the area.
They were then required to upload their result to a website which enabled it to be linked to their ticket. Once attendees meet the requirements, there are no facemasks, sanitiser or socially distancing necessary at the event. During the event, researchers will study the air movement and quality.
Circus
The first show was organised by Circus and featured DJs Jayda G and The Blessed Madonna.
Ticket buyers were reportedly receptive to the idea of a restriction-free event.
“Once you go over the threshold, the whole point of today is to go back to pre-COVID conditions, which of course is no social distancing, no masks. You can interact with people you don’t know.”
Source: BBC
At the event, The New York Times reported that ladies were spotted wearing bikinis and passing around half-bottles of rosé. Middle aged men were seen furiously dancing covered in sweat, with younger lads frolicking in their wake.
“This is the first dance,” Nick Evans, a 28-year-old legal adviser, shouted above the music. “And it could be the last dance, so I’m going to enjoy it,” he added before sashaying back into the crowd.
Source: The New York Times
Social Life in the UK
This February, Boris Johnson announced that because of the country’s vaccine rollout, he hoped to lift social restrictions which would see the reopening of clubs. This is based on the recent trials taking place in Liverpool.
The goal of this series of trials is to determine which measures need to be taken to allow clubs to reopen. Another consideration is whether or not people are happy to be tested before attending these events. Britain is packed with over 1,400 nightclubs, according to the Nighttime Industries Association. This number represents venues, many of which had been forced to fire staff during the pandemic. Four British club owners stated within telephone interviews that they have welcomed the Liverpool trials, but felt more were needed to reflect different types of spaces.
“We’re not a warehouse.”- Dan Beaumont, owner of Dalston Superstore, a popular club for L.G.B.T.Q. partygoers in London.
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