April 18, 2021

the Events Research Programme

The science-led Events Research Programme (ERP) pilots will be run across a range of settings, venues and activities, starting with the World Championship Snooker at the Crucible in Sheffield on 17 April and the FA Cup Semi Final at Wembley on 18 April. The programme’s findings will be used to inform government decisions on the full reopening of similar settings – across sport, the arts and music, for example – in the summer.

Venues participating in the programme will test specific settings to collect evidence and best practice. Researchers at the events will gather data associated with different settings and approaches to managing and mitigating transmission risk. The pilots will explore how different approaches to social distancing, ventilation and test-on-entry protocols could ease opening and maximise participation in these sectors in the future.

The pilots programme will be used to provide key scientific data and research into how small and large-scale events could be permitted to safely reopen in line with the Prime Minister’s Roadmap out of lockdown as part of Step 4, commencing no earlier than 21 June.

Speakers included:

Martyn Henderson, Director, Events Research Programme, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Prof Paul Monks, Chief Scientific Adviser, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Prof Iain E. Buchan, Executive Dean, Institute of Population Health, Chair of Public Health and Clinical Informatics, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool

Dr Aoife Hunt, Crowd Dynamics Specialist and Associate Director, Movement Strategies