Four-point plan aims to deliver safe return of live music and sport

An international body representing arenas has launched a four-point plan for the safe return of live music and sport events.

Live events have been cancelled across the world amid strict public health measures introduced by governments trying to curb the spread of Covid-19.

The Arena Resilience Alliance (ARA) has launched its manifesto, outlining the next steps for the safe return of live events across Europe.

The plan was unveiled on Thursday at the end of its second virtual conference, #AGameofTwoHalves: The Return Leg.

It proposes the creation of an advisory body to guide and instruct for an effective return of live events.

It also suggests:

– A hub for return and change, using the ARA’s network of large-capacity arenas across Europe.
– Adapting for the future of live events, including the development of new environmentally sustainable and digital practices.
– A safe and sustainable post-Covid-19 ecosystem, with safer, greener and more efficient environments.

The ARA said the Rationale for a Resilient Return manifesto has been prepared for a critical moment for the events industry, and the “key elements of Europe’s cultural identity” must be preserved by bringing back live music and sport.

“We must bring the different parts of the ecosystem together to create safer, greener and more efficient environments where European citizens can meet to relax, socialise and enjoy themselves,” it added.

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ARA co-founder Robert Fitzpatrick, chief executive of the Odyssey Trust, which owns the SSE Arena in Belfast, said the manifesto will be an important tool in preparation for the return of live events while working to protect the health of communities and the sustainability of the industry.

The event followed a live music experiment organised by the Rockhal arena in Luxembourg last week.

A series of five live shows took place from February 10-14 with audiences limited to 100 each night, allocated seats and social distancing controls.

Full results from the experiment are expected in around two weeks

Olivier Toth, chief executive of Rockhal, said the gigs were an “important and positive step forward in testing the safety measures we can employ to support our back to business strategies”.

The ARA’s virtual conference was delivered in partnership with IQ Magazine.

The event is available to watch again on the EAA YouTube channel and Facebook page.

A spokesperson for the UK’s Government said: “As the Prime Minister has said, we want this lockdown to be the last – which is why we will seek to ease restrictions in a way that is cautious, but irreversible.

“We are working hard to get audiences back as soon as it is safe to do so, and we will publish our road map on Monday after carefully reviewing the impact of current restrictions and the vaccine programme on infections, hospital admissions and deaths.

“No decisions have been made yet.”

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