Liverpool is to host a number of events aimed at reopening the cultural and business sectors.
Here we answer some of the most commonly asked questions.
Liverpool Pilot Events – what are they?
The Government’s Event Research Programme (ERP) is planning a number of pilot events to test safety at mass gatherings.
Although this programme is taking place across the country, several of these pilots will be held in Liverpool and will play a vital role in helping provide the scientific evidence which will inform plans for reopening events later this year in line with the announced roadmap out of lockdown.
What events are part of this project?
The Liverpool pilot events that will form part of the Events Research Project are:
- The Good Business Festival Presents: Change Business for Good – Wednesday 28 April
- Circus Club – Fri 30 April & Sun 1 May
- Sefton Park Pilot music festival – Sun 2 May
Why are they happening?
These test events will be crucial in finding ways to get fans and audiences back in safely without social distancing.
The aim is to get people back to enjoying what they love and ensure some of our most important growth industries get back on their feet.
What are they testing?
The programme will test specific settings to collect evidence and best practice. A number of these pilots will include spectators not socially distanced under carefully controlled medical supervision.
They will also test elements such as layout of the venue, face coverings and ventilation. The study of each event will be overseen by a team of researchers who will be closely monitoring audience movements and interactions.
Transport to and from events; duration of events and catering and alcohol will also be factors that are looked at.
Who can attend these events?
In order to attend these events you must:
• Be over 18
• Be living in the Liverpool City Region
• Be registered to a GP in the Liverpool City Region
• Receive a negative Lateral Flow Test the day before the event from a testing centre
• Be healthy and showing no sign of Covid-19 Symptoms
You are strongly advised not to attend this event if:
• You have been advised that you are clinically vulnerable
• You, or someone you live with, is shielding
• You are pregnant
Tickets will be made available by application and only to those persons who have gone through the government’s agreed application process. This includes giving their consent to being part of the pilot study and the associated testing requirements.
What will I have to agree to?
Upon selecting the ‘Complete Questionnaire’ button, you will be asked to complete a short questionnaire consenting to your involvement in the Events Research Programme, and then directed to secure your ticket. This questionnaire is being collated by The University of Liverpool.
Once you purchase your ticket, you will receive an order confirmation from us within 24 hours including an e-ticket for the event.
You must take a Lateral Flow Covid-19 test between 07:00 and 21:00 the day before the event.
You must visit one of the designated community test centres below to take your Lateral Flow Test. Click here to check how busy or quiet each test site is.
o Exhibition Centre Liverpool, King’s Dock, L3 4FP
o Liverpool One, Unit 73, L1 8BU
o Liverpool FC Anfield Stadium, Anfield Road, L4 0TH
o Liverpool Tennis Centre, Wavertree Sports Park, L15 4LE
Once you have taken your test and received a negative result, your e-ticket for the event will be automatically activated
You do not need to show your negative test result upon entry; your activated e-ticket is all you will need on arrival. You may also be asked to show photo ID that matches the name on your ticket.
Anyone who registers to attend and then returns a positive, inconclusive or void Lateral Flow Test result for Covid-19 will be unable to attend. If this is the case, then your ticket price will be credited to your account within 5-7 working days. If your test is positive then you will be required to quarantine in line with the latest government guidelines. Anyone who fails to take their Lateral Flow test within the specified window will also be unable to attend.
Although the only compulsory test to attend the event is the Lateral Flow Test the day before the event, you will also be asked to take an at-home PCR test on the day of the event and five days after the event. This is non-mandatory but is critical for the event research data required by the scientists.
These PCR tests are crucial in providing the vital data that is needed by the scientists working on this programme.
You will have to adhere to an agreed code of behaviour at the point of ticket purchase.
You will also have to provide contact details of everyone in your group for NHS Test and Trace.
How will I receive my at-home PCR test?
When you attend one of the designated community test centres to take your pre-show Lateral Flow Test, staff will provide you with two at-home PCR test kits to take away with you. If you are not automatically offered the PCR test kits, please make the site staff aware that you are attending one of the events.
Please take your first at-home PCR test on the day of the event and return by pre-paid post, as per the instructions included with the kit. Your second test should be taken five days after the event, and also returned by post.
You will receive your test results by text message, and if positive you will need to follow existing government guidelines.
If you lose any of the PCR test kits, you can order more here.
The PCR tests are not mandatory, but are critical for the event research data required by the scientists.
What if I have had a vaccine?
As this is a scientific study, even people who have had their vaccine must go through the same application and testing process as the rest of the audience.
Is a ‘Covid-19/Vaccine Passport’ being tested?
No. The ticketing process for the events will require audiences to have had a recent negative Covid-19 test alongside a valid ticket to gain entry to the event.
What if I get a positive/inconclusive/void Lateral Flow Test result?
Anyone who registers to attend and then returns a positive, inconclusive or void Lateral Flow Test result for Covid-19 will be unable to attend. In this case your ticket price will be refunded automatically. If your test is positive then you will be required to quarantine in line with the latest government guidelines.
Anyone who fails to take their Lateral Flow test within the specified window will also be unable to attend but will not receive a refund.
My ticket has been cancelled – why is this?
If you have been notified that your tickets have been cancelled, there are a number of reasons why this might have happened.
• You are under 18
• You do not live within Liverpool City Region
• You have received a positive, inconclusive or void Lateral Flow Test result
• You have not taken a Lateral Flow Test within the window of 7am-9pm the day before the event
• You have taken a Lateral Flow Test at a non-approved test centre
• You have used a home Lateral Flow testing kit
• You have only taken a PCR test and not a Lateral Flow Test
• The data you have provided when booking your ticket does not match the data you have given when taking your Lateral Flow Test. E.g. misspelt name or address or incorrect NHS number.
If none of the above apply, please contact ERP@ticketquarter.co.uk
Why can I only buy one ticket?
As this is a scientific pilot, we need to make sure that each person who is attending the event gives their own personal consent and agrees to the terms of entry. It is not possible for you to provide consent on behalf of another person and as such we have had to make it one ticket per transaction.
I require an accessible ticket – how do I go about this?
If you require an accessible or Personal Assistant ticket, there will be an option for this at the checkout stage. If this option is selected, our customer service team will then contact you to discuss the procedure for your Personal Assistant to access their ticket upon receipt of requested documents in line with our accessibility policy.
Will I have to wear a face covering or practice social distancing during the event?
Once inside the event there will be no compulsory requirement to wear a face covering or practice social distancing. The purpose of this is to test specific settings to collect evidence and best practice. However, if you would like to wear a face covering then please do so.
Will I have to follow Covid-19 guidelines before and after the event?
Whilst travelling to the venue, queuing for entry and upon leaving the event, you must follow existing Covid-19 government guidance.
What information will I be required to provide as part of this trial?
The information you will be asked to provide will be fully explained prior to purchasing your ticket.
Is it just about events?
No. This work will be crucial to how many different venues – from major sport stadiums to comedy clubs, theatres to live music spaces, wedding venues to conference centres – could operate this summer.
Will the Liverpool pilot events be safe?
All appropriate measures are being put in place to ensure these events are safe as possible, while also being realistic about the fact that these are scientific pilots.
The design for how audiences will be allowed entry is decided by a science board directly linked to SAGE (Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies)
All of the event plans will be agreed by government’s Event Research Programme board, they will be scrutinised at a local level by the relevant statutory bodies and go through the same planning process as all normal events.
Attendees will be required to take a test within an agreed timeframe before going to the event and will need to produce a negative result to gain entry.
They will also be tested afterwards to ensure any transmission of the virus is properly monitored.
They will have to adhere to an agreed code of behaviour at the point of ticket purchase. This will include following existing Government guidance on the use of face coverings and adhering to event specific rules.
Those attending will not be allowed in if they have symptoms of Covid-19.
They will also have to provide contact details of everyone in their group for NHS Test and Trace.
Why has Liverpool been chosen?
Liverpool is an event city.
Events are a critical part of our economy, culture and community and so we are delighted to be working with partners across Government, our colleagues at University of Liverpool and a number of local venues and promoters to plan this series of pilot events.
Our experience as the pilot city for mass testing means we have the knowledge and infrastructure in place to deliver complicated projects safely, and we really hope we can help provide the evidence needed to ensure the wider sector is able to open across the country in the coming months.”
How are the events being funded?
The scientific and research aspect of the pilots is being funded by Government.
The majority of the events themselves are paid for ticket commercial events. This is an important factor in the pilot programme as the ERP are keen to understand how test requirements around events might influence audience behaviour around buying a ticket.
Why have these events been chosen?
Government provided a brief for the types of event which they wanted to test as part of the study within Liverpool.
The events and venues which have been chosen by the ERP board reflect the requirements of the scientific brief alongside the wider programme of projects which are being delivered across the country.
