LIVERPOOL, England - Thousands of people shed their masks and social distancing protocol to attend a one-day music festival in England as part of a research project to test whether such events spread the coronavirus.Liverpool hosted the outdoor music event, which welcomed about 5,000 people who were required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test upon entry with no sign of symptoms.
It was held at the city’s Sefton Park with tickets only offered to local residents.The data is being used by the U.K. government's Events Research Programme to better understand the impact of crowds on the spread of COVID-19.
Other pilot events included a business conference at ACC Liverpool, FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium, as well as the upcoming BRIT.