From 9 April: pilots with access tests at concert halls, theatres, music venues, museums and monuments

On 6 April the cabinet announced a series of pilots to be held within the cultural sector between 9 – 30 April. The aim is to gain experience in the use of (rapid) testing infrastructure. The pilots will be held across a limited number of cultural venues and according to a fixed calendar. Access to these concerts, performances, museums and monuments will be granted to visitors who register and can prove their health with a negative COVID-19 test. The rapid test can be taken free of charge at test centres participating in the pilots. The corona protocol, including social distancing measures, will remain in place during the pilots for safety reasons.

Acces Tests
These pilots are intended to let the government and sector probe the public’s willingness to present access tests, and the manageability and feasibility of the tests. The introduction of access tests opens up the possibility to safely reopen the cultural sector at least in part even if the risk level is still high. The use of access tests allows a number of sectors (culture, sports and recreation) to open sooner and/or with fewer restrictions. 

Calendar
The calendar listing dates and venues was compiled by the cabinet in consultation with the safety regions, the Tasforce of the Cultural and Creative Sector and the participating sector organisations. It was set up to ensure an even spread across regions, sectors, and big and smaller venues and to ensure close access to testing locations. 

The pilots mark the start of a reopening of the sector. They are not part of the previously organised FieldLab events, as they are part of a research into testing logistics.

photo: Hans Gerritsen

For the list of participating theatre venues: visit VSCD