Large crowds to gather as part of test events over the summer

Crowds are set to return to a variety of events across Wales this summer, as part of a series of test events.

Large gatherings have been banned for more than a year as the coronavirus pandemic has gripped the nation.

But now, test events will be held to determine the impact of large gatherings, with an eye to reopening the events industry later this year.

The test events will be used as a springboard to allowing larger crowds to return to events later this year.

Sports events, religious festivals and business meet-ups are among the events set to be trialled over the coming months.

A “testing protocol” and risk assessment will be carried out for each event.

The Welsh Government has said it is working with event owners to arrange the tests, which will be held in Cardiff, Newport, Swansea, Brecon and Pembrokeshire. However, no pilot events have been proposed for Caerphilly County Borough.

The first event will be an Eid-al-Fitr event in Cardiff, which is expected to have between 300 and 500 attendees, set to be held between May 12 and May 14.

Test events

Eid-al-Fitr

May 12-14; Cardiff; 300-500 attendees

Tafwyl Festival

May 15; Cardiff Castle; 500 attendees

Newport County v Forest Green (football)

May 18; Rodney Parade, Newport; unspecified number of attendees

Business conference

May 20; International Convention Centre Wales, Newport; 100 attendees indoors

Swansea City v Barnsley (football)

May 22; Liberty Stadium, Swansea; unspecified number of attendees

Theatre

June 3-4; Theatre Brycheiniog Brecon; 250 attendees

Glamorgan v Lancashire (cricket)

June 3-6; Sophia Gardens, Cardiff; 750-1,000 attendees

Wales v Albania (football)

June 5; Cardiff City Stadium; 4,000 attendees

Fishguard Triathlon

June 11-12; Fishguards/St David’s; Registered participants only

First Minister Mark Drakeford said it has been a “difficult 18 months” for the events industry.

“As we look at lifting the coronavirus restrictions in Wales we have worked closely with event organisers to establish a list of pilot test events which take in a range of different locations and types of event,” he said.

“This work is bringing us a step closer to a return to events in Wales.”

Mr Drakeford added: “These events are very different in nature and location but access of attendees – whether participants or spectators – is strictly controlled by the organisers and agreed in advance.”

Pilot test events have already started across the border, with a music festival, two nightclub events and a business conference held in Liverpool, with no masks or social distancing in place.