When we finally get back to going to concerts and music festivals in the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, it’s going to be a lot different with social distancing rules in place, according to a report from Metal Injection. The Event Safety Alliance Reopening Guide, a new collective work created by industry professionals and intended to serve as event guidance in the COVID-19 era, strongly calls for the prohibition of moshing and crowd surfing as the concert industry reopens. Would you attend a show if you couldn’t mosh or crowd surf anymore! Edited by Steven A. Adelman, Vice President, Event Safety Alliance, and released yesterday (May 11), the 29-page document includes the following stipulation with regard to general admission events:
“A few obvious changes will be necessary whenever GA events do reopen. Patrons cannot all stand at the front of the stage like they are accustomed; moshing and crowd surfing are violations of social distancing per se and must be absolutely prohibited during this pandemic; even hallways and smoking areas where patrons congregate will have to be monitored to enforce health policies.”
The guide notes that fans will likely resist these changes at first, but over time, will come to get used to them – comparing it to the way bag checks and metal detectors were put in place after 9/11.
“At this early moment, there is as much resistance to face coverings and social distancing as there was to bag checks and magnetometers in the United States after 9/11. We got used to them, and most people came to accept that they were for our own safety. A cultural change is necessary again. Widespread messaging by venue and event professionals can accomplish two essential goals: (a) patrons will learn that the new rules are for their protection, which will eventually lead to greater compliance; and (b) transparently showing new sanitary practices will coax nervous people back into public places.”
“Patrons cannot all stand at the front of the stage like they are accustomed; moshing and crowd surfing are violations of social distancing per se and must be absolutely prohibited during this pandemic.”
Other suggestions include indicating proper distance measures with tape on the floor: “High conspicuity gaff tape on the floor of an indoor space, or spray chalk, survey flags, and cones for outdoor spaces, to mark six foot (two meter) separation.”
The guide recommends venue staff patrol the area to make sure fans are complying, which is something venue staff will surely not be too excited about needing to do.
Another recommended measure is temperature screening for all people entering the venue:
Each point of entry, both front and back of house, should be monitored by workers trained and approved under the Infection Mitigation Coordinator’s supervision. These workers will conduct temperature screening using ‘no-touch’ thermometers approved by the Infection Mitigation Coordinator. Anyone displaying a temperature over 100.4 F (38.0 C) should be taken to a private area for a secondary temperature screening. Workers or patrons confirmed to have a higher temperature should be denied entry and directed to appropriate medical care. Safety plans should include a refund policy and protocols how to handle groups where one member is denied entry
The guide also recommends heavy sanitation of the venues, including all elevators, door handles, desks and ticket counters, etc. It encourages paid sick leave for workers. The entire guide can be read here.
The first socially distant concert takes place later this week in Arkansas.