Covid-19 safety in large events: supporting the events industry through mathematical sciences

The events industry has been particularly impacted by the pandemic. Opening large events involves understanding the relative risk of various interventions. The Virtual Forum for Knowledge Exchange in the Mathematical Sciences (V-KEMS) – which includes KTN – recently provided insight to some large event operators on how transmission risk might be understood and managed at large event gatherings.

The events industry in the UK is a major contributor to GDP, contributing an estimated £70 billion to the economy and providing 700,000 jobs. However, the pandemic has seen a significant reduction in demand for events, with 40 % of all those in the sector suggesting that the business they are involved in may not exist in its current form within the next 6 – 12 months. Despite government backed research programmes and guidance, significant challenges remain in coordinating the operations of large event spaces and a lack of understanding of how risk mitigation strategies might be translated into guidance.

Between the 13th – 15th July 2021, V-KEMS which includes KTN, the Isaac Newton Institute, the International Centre for Mathematical Sciences and the Newton Gateway to Mathematics, convened a group of around 30 mathematical scientists, behavioural scientists, public health experts and representatives from the events industry in a virtual study group (VSG) to discuss what mathematical science could be applied to the challenges the industry is currently facing. The resultant conversations outlined where mathematical science can provide insight, and allow event organisers to make decisions are based on an assessment of risk.

Virtual study group discussion points

During the three day session, the group heard from organisers who were running a variety of events; large indoor gatherings, large outdoor – festival type – gatherings, large outdoor events where attendees are seated:

What about indoor events?

• Can we control the length and geometry of a queue to minimise infection risk?
• Can we estimate the viral load at a venue given a certain testing regime?
• Can ventilation be designed to minimise the virus concentration in a room?

What about outside, ticketed events?

• Can we model and mitigate risk from an events arrival process?
• Can we model and mitigate the risk of crowds using events facilities?

What about outside and unticketed events?

• Can we estimate the person-to-person transmission probability outdoors?
• Can we quantify the risk amongst a crowd watching a performer?
• Can we model crowd behaviour? Including bottlenecks, density, followers and leaders?

Outcomes

These questions were looked at in detail by the convened groups of researchers. These researchers modelled the impact of queuing geometries, staggering arrival times, signage, and some process of pre-checking to provide insight for the event organisers. For some considered scenarios the benefits of long queues and pre-checking (to reduce waiting time) were demonstrated.

Regarding the question of relative risk when watching a street performer, dynamic, unticketed spaces such as open festivals provide a challenge in managing crowds. Traditional large events guidance is not strictly applicable given the organic, devolved authority in an open festival which is made up of free agents for example street performers. What modelling techniques could be used to understand how unmanaged activities such as these street performers can change the relative risk of transmission, and what interventions are likely to be effective?

The group approached this challenge using models to simulate the movement of individuals in an open space over a period of time whilst watching a street performance. The relative impact of wearing a mask in an audience compared with shortening the duration of the show was considered and tentatively suggests that mask-wearing during a performance would be the most effective measure to reduce transmission risk.

More information

Click here to view the Covid-19 safety in large events V-KEMS report. The virtual study group has collaboratively created this working paper over the last few months and contains a collection of detailed, valuable insights so is a worthwhile read.

V-KEMS will be running more sessions to support business recovery from the effects of the pandemic. If you are interested in the insights generated through this work or would be interested in participating in a future session (either as a problem owner or a solution provider), please do contact KTN. Also, please explore the research and development that the KTN Industrial Mathematics team has completed.

Click here to learn more about V-KEMS, follow V-KEMS on Twitter, and please contact KTN to discuss working together to apply advanced mathematics and solve complex systems within your organisation.