German experiment finds risk of COVID-19 spread is "very low" for indoor shows

The experiment was hosted back in August, and saw researchers host a 10-hour indoor concert at the Quarterback Immobilien Arena in Leipzig with a performance from Tim Bendzko.

Researchers wanted to examine how the virus could be transmitted at an indoor event, and recruited 1,400 volunteers for the experiment. According to the New York Times, volunteers were tested for the virus and had their temperatures checked before entering the venue. The volunteers were given hand sanitiser with fluorescent dye and a digital tracker before the event, which saw them simulate various social distancing measures and scenarios such as bathroom visits and buying food and drink.

Participants tried three social distancing scenarios across the 10 hours, which saw them exercise no social distancing, a checkerboard formation for partial distance, and strict social distancing for the third scenario. The study found that the highest amount of close contact occurred during breaks in the show and went the volunteers entered the venue.

Researchers also experimented with air circulation by using a fog machine to monitor the movement of air within the venue.

The findings have resulted in the scientists saying the risk of spread of COVID-19 at an indoor event is "low to very low" as long as venue owners have good ventilation, strict hygiene rules and limited capacity.

Dr. Michael Gekle, part of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg team who conducted the experiment, said, "There is no argument for not having such a concert. The risk of getting infected is very low."