Pukkelpop pageant cancelled because of insufficient COVID-19 testing capability
Pukkelpop has cancelled its 2021 version because of adjustments in entry necessities which are undermined by its present testing capability to run the occasion safely.
The pageant, which is held close to Hasselt in Belgium, was set to return subsequent month with a capability of as much as 7,000 exams per day to permit for followers to attend throughout the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
However organisers stated immediately (July 23) {that a} current discount within the time wanted to conduct fast antigen exams and PCR exams forward of the occasion has brought on points for the pageant, which must triple its testing capability to fulfill the calls for of the brand new guidelines.
Because of this, Pukkelpop can not proceed safely and has been cancelled. Ticketholders can select to roll over their 2021 tickets to subsequent yr’s occasion, which can happen from August 18-21, 2022, or obtain a refund.
Organisers wrote on Fb: “The federal government finds itself in an unenviable place and so can we. Initially a damaging PCR take a look at carried out inside 72 hours of arrival was sufficient however on Monday this was decreased to 48 hours. As well as, a damaging antigen take a look at was now not enough for followers to be admitted to the pageant. Since Thursday antigen testing is allowed once more however the preliminary validity of 48 hours has been decreased to 24 hours.
NO PUKKELPOP 2021If there’s one certainty with Covid-19 it’s the uncertainty and if you’re making an attempt to organise a…
Posted by Pukkelpop on Friday, July 23, 2021
“Initially we deliberate for a capability of as much as 7,000 exams per day on the Pukkelpop website however the 24/48 hour restrict for the validity of, respectively, a fast antigen take a look at (RAT) or a PCR take a look at implies that we must triple this capability. To place issues into perspective: that is 21 occasions the capability of the Park Spoor Noord testing village in Antwerp on the peak of its actions. The 24/48 hour restrict successfully means tripling the variety of exams however there isn’t any approach we might assure the federal government we will organise this below secure circumstances. That is simple arithmetic and a wholesome dose of widespread sense.”
They concluded the message with because of their followers and the federal government – significantly the pageant crew who “moved heaven and earth to make Pukkelpop 2021 an unforgettable occasion. Sadly it wasn’t to be”.
Liam Gallagher, Future, Editors and Marshmello had been amongst a number of the acts taking part in this yr’s pageant between August 19 and 22.