We already reported about several approaches to hold larger events successfully under COVID19 restrictions. But yet, the main country of our beloved Hardstyle music remained quiet and careful. But now, the Dutch government has just authorized the holding of several large-scale events in January 2021. The authorities want to determine how to revive culture while ensuring public safety during this time of pandemic.
Zwiesel
Especially the recent weeks, the complete event industry run several social media campaigns. They highlighted that the complete sector is close to a collapse and can’t continue, without a concept for 2021. As many festivals require preparation of more than 12 months, the politics were requested to find a compromise before this year would come to an end. The event organizations should have a possibility to work on, to make large scale event possible again.
First test events allowed in January 2021
At first, the dutch Governments denied test events in regions in the “vigilance” stage. But due the dramatic situation in the event scene, the country finally decided to waive this condition. Thus, a concert, a dance performance and two open-air festivals will take place in our Dutch neighbors. To create a bigger and more representative picture, these events will take place in different halls in the country. Besides indoor locations such as the Ziggo Dome – home of Qapital, also huge outdoor spaces such as the usual location of the Defqon1 festival are in the scope.
Experienced event organizations are in the lead
Apparently the officials are putting these test events into the hand of only the most experienced event organizations, to held representative test events. According to several news pages, these festivals will be organized by ID&T (organizers of Mysterly Land and Defqon1). Supervising organization will be Fieldlab Events. The organization targets to make it possible to hold large-scale cultural events despite the epidemic. Air quality, public travel and the effectiveness of rapid tests will be carefully studied in order to improve prevention and risk reduction.
“Permission to organize test events shows that our government is bold. We have always stressed that they can be held safely and are essential for the industry as a whole. “says Marcel Elbertse, President of Fieldlab Events.
Security Measures still necessary
Still – it is clear that visitors and organizers still have to undertake several measures. Therefore will have to meet demanding conditions to attend the events. In addition to showing a negative test performed within the last 24 hours, everyone’s temperature will be taken at the entrance. Any contact with vulnerable people will then have to be avoided for the next two weeks.