London – Tens of thousands of revellers will descend on late summer music festivals throughout Britain this weekend, armed with a negative COVID test or proof of vaccination in an effort to curb rising infections.
Reading and Leeds, twin events that are a rite of passage for post-exam teenagers, might be two of the biggest since the government removed restrictions in July following a rapid vaccine rollout. Reading had a capacity of 105,000 in 2019.
With Monday a public holiday in England, other large gatherings are being staged throughout the nation, together with the 70,000-strong Creamfields event in northwest England. The traditional Notting Hill Carnival in London has however been cancelled again.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden mentioned this month that a successful hosting of the British Grand Prix and Wimbledon tennis tournament last month showed mass events could be held safely, however that caution was needed in crowded settings.
However, many health experts stay concerned that individuals will lose their inhibitions within the excitement, causing a spike in cases.
Soccer matches within the Euro 2020 event and a surfing festival in Cornwall have already led to significant outbreaks in one of the nations hardest hit by the virus.
Cornwall Council has mentioned 4,700 cases could be linked to the Boardmasters festival, which attracted about 50,000 individuals to the small seaside town of Newquay this month.
