A new German study has “ruled out” the risk of COVID-19 infection within music venues that enforce mask requirements and have proper ventilation.
This is the second study conducted in Germany reporting these findings. Last year, there was a study conducted by Halle University that brought hopes for the reopening of music venues in 2021.
The latest study, conducted by the Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute, used a high-tech dummy to determine the possibility of a virus spread in a 1,500 seat venue. For three different days, researchers analyzed the movement of airborne particles.
Dr. Raphael von Hoensbroech, director of Konzerthaus Dortmund, spoke with IQ after the results from the study were published.
“Concert halls and theatres are not places of infection,” he said. “The past few months have shown that politics needs a scientifically sound basis for decision-making. With our study, we want to ensure that concert halls and theatres may again admit sufficient audiences when they reopen.”
Furthermore, scientists believe that these results can be applied to venues similar in size and design. With mask requirements and ventilation, there is a possibility that concerts can return soon.
