Testing key to get events back

Daniel Gidney, CEO of Lancashire Cricket and Emirates Old Trafford, outlines the need for  better testing arrangements before a full-blown return to non-socially distanced events can be considered, as well as a need for clearer government guidance on measures required for events.

Hazel Jain

Q Has Emirates Old Trafford opened for matches or events?

We have proposed a re-opening of the events sector in the UK from October 1. However, Emirates Old Trafford has just staged three test matches this summer between England and the West Indies – the first international cricket fixtures to be played since the pandemic. Emirates Old Trafford has also unveiled a ‘Safe in One Place’ initiative that highlights the measures required to host events in line with current government guidelines. It is based on our experience that we gained turning Emirates Old Trafford into a bio-secure environment. This has provided us with a blueprint to move forward and understand what events will look like in the future. We are effectively currently the only large events venue in the country that is operating, and have developed strong operational discipline.

Q Tell us about this guideline and is it available for the industry at large?

It is a document outlining key learnings and best practices for events industry professionals to download via the Emirates Old Trafford website. The guidance includes the very latest practical information to ensure event organisers and venue operators in the UK understand how they can work and host business events and conferences, while keeping both guests and staff safe.

Q What challenges do you foresee for the events industry to re-open?

I believe that testing is key to getting businesses and events back on track. Testing gives people confidence. We need government approvals on 90-minute testing kits which will be a game-changer. It’s not a silver bullet; you still need a number of mitigations. I would still have thermo-screening, take the delegate details for test and trace, still have one-way systems, hand gels, PPE and masks and, of course, social distancing. Ultimately, when people are paying for delegate, exhibitor or sponsorship spaces at an event, the cost of a single 90-minute testing kit is between £100 and £150 here in the UK and that might become a cost of the industry.

About Emirates Old Trafford

Emirates Old Trafford is a multi-purpose venue that can cater from 10 to 2,000 people from small meetings to large exhibitions. It also has a four-star Hilton Garden Inn hotel with 150 rooms, 85 of which overlook the famous Lancashire Cricket pitch.