It wasn’t quite one of the big carefree and hedonistic nights of the past, but clubbers in Amsterdam had a brief suspension of the blockade over the weekend as part of an analysis of the risks associated with bringing people back to the dance floor.
The Ziggo Dome, the largest musical arena in the Dutch capital, opened for 1,300 people for four hours on Saturday. They were encouraged to dance the sets of Dutch DJs Sam Feldt, Lady Bee and Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano.
Participants were tracked in all their movements and contacts using a tag, as part of an effort to examine how events can be safely reopened to the public. They were divided into five “bubbles” of 250 people, plus one of 50, each obeying different rules.
Some were limited in their movements on the dance floor, while others were asked to wear a mask at all times or only when on the move. One group received a fluorescent drink and was encouraged to sing and shout at the sound of the music, in order to examine how much saliva was released during moments of high revelry.
Government advisers will use the data they collect on recorded behavior to help make decisions about possible reductions in nightlife restrictions in the coming months. One of the observations, the organizers said, was that even those who were asked to keep their masks soon dismissed them as they entered the music stream.
Tim Boersma of Fieldlab, the organization that conducts research for the government, said: “We hope that this could lead to a reopening of bespoke locations. The measures are now generic, allowing, for example, a maximum of 100 guests in any event if coronavirus infections fall to a certain level. We expect more specific measures, such as allowing the Ziggo Dome to open at half its capacity. “
The Ziggo Dome has a normal capacity of 17,000, but 100,000 subscribers for 1,350 € 15 (£ 13) tickets. They sold out in 20 minutes.
All participants should have received a negative coronavirus test 48 hours before the event. Twelve candidates received a positive test result before the event and were prevented from participating. Those who attended were invited to take another test five days later.
Feldt, 27, who has not performed for a large audience since his tour of the United States was canceled last March, said the event gave him hope. “I see light at the end of the tunnel again,” he said. “We’ve been at this for about a year together and with vaccinations, testing possibilities and this type of testing events, I think there are many signs that we hope to see some more parties in the summer.”
The show was part of a series of government-supported research events that also included a 500-person business conference, a presentation by cabaret artist Guido Weijers to a similar number of people and a football match involving 1,200 fans. Two open-air festivals in Biddinghuizen are also planned, as well as a pop show.
More than a year has passed since meetings of more than 100 people were banned in the Netherlands. All bars and restaurants in the country have been closed since mid-October. A nationwide curfew from 9:00 pm to 4:30 am has been in place for the past six weeks. The event at the Ziggo Dome took place from 15h to 19h to be in compliance.
Natasja de Rooij, 29, from Utrecht, who attended with her boyfriend, Stefan, said it was “very nice to be away from it all after all that sitting at home”. “And we are also doing something good,” she said. “Stefan and I were supposed to get married last summer. Maybe it can still be done this summer. “
The bubbles
-
Bubble 1 People were told to wear a mask all the time. They could decide for themselves where to stay, but they had to make sure that there were no more than three people in a square meter of space.
-
Bubble 2 People wore a mask all the time and were told to keep a distance of 1.5 meters.
-
Bubble 3 People wore a mouth mask only when on the move and had to stay in designated places.
-
Bubble 4 People wore masks all the time. There were seats available.
-
Bubble 5 People only wear masks when they are on the move. There were areas to sit and stand. Participants were placed in their dance location by the organizers with two chairs spacing people.
-
Bubble 6 Without masks. People could stand or sit wherever and whenever they wanted.