Yahoo News 'Monumental': First nightclub with zero COVID rules just hours from opening its doors
A Liverpool nightclub will open its doors on Friday for the first time in over a year.
Circus, at the Bramley-Moore Dock warehouse, will welcome 6,000 clubbers over two nights in a test event to research the impact of large gatherings on the spread of coronavirus.
The First Dance event will not require any social distancing or face coverings, and it is hoped it will pave the way for more clubs to open across the country.
DJ Yousef Zahar is co-owner of Circus and will be DJing at the event. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the event would be "monumental".
He said: "It's the first time in a long time I've allowed myself to be excited about anything. It's monumental.
"Once people are over the threshold it's back to pre-COVID conditions – no masks, no social distancing.
"We're very excited but the serious point is to take the information and try to move towards June 21st."
The event is part of the national Events Research Programme (ERP), which will provide data on how events for a range of audiences could be permitted to safely reopen as part of the roadmap out of lockdown.
Ticket holders have had to take a lateral flow test 24 hours before the event and will be required to produce a negative result to gain entry.
Liverpool's director of culture, Claire McColgan, told Sky News: "This hasn't been an easy process, and it's particularly hard as the night-time sector hasn't been open for over a year.
"It will be a different event to what people are used to – from the ticketing process to getting a negative lateral flow test before you're allowed entry.
"But anyone who attends will not only be helping to get clubs up and running in Liverpool, they will be pioneers for the whole country."
Other acts appearing over the weekend include DJs Fatboy Slim and Jayda G.
COVID-19 pilot schemes have already been trialled at the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium, with further trials to take place at the FA Cup final and a screening at the Luna Outdoor Cinema in Liverpool.
Information garnered from the trials will be used to assist the UK government with its plan to remove all social distancing restrictions by 21 June.
Restrictions have slowly begun to ease since March, with schools reopening first, followed by non-essential retail, then hospitality, gyms and theme parks.
"There's no question that we're starting to get the pandemic really well under control at the moment, but we've got to stick to our cautious approach and go through the steps of the roadmap," he said.
Watch: How England will leave lockdown
