Barcelona holds concert with 5,000 people to test hygiene measures

Barcelona held a large concert with 5,000 audience members for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic on Saturday night.

The concert by the indie band Love of Lesbian took place in the Palau de Sant Jordi, which usually hosts up to 24,000 spectators.

The event was meant to test whether such concerts with strict hygiene measures can be safe despite the coronavirus pandemic.

"Welcome to one of the most moving concerts of our lives," singer Santi Balmes of Love of Lesbian greeted the audience.

For the fans, the evening was a total success.

"It was so great, actually better than before corona, because everyone was so incredibly happy and excited to finally be at a concert again. Many people were dancing and singing along under their masks," Ruben Casado said.

"I hope there will be more similar events soon," the 48-year-old said.

Tests, masks, doctors

Strict measures were in place before and during the concert, which was supervised by doctors.

All audience members had to undergo a coronavirus test at one of three special test centres ahead of the event. Only six of the 5,000 tests yielded positive results, according to a report by newspaper La Vanguardia.

Only registered people between 18 and 65 with smartphones capable of receiving the test results were allowed to enter. Guests also had to consent to sharing their data with the health ministry.

There were three separate zones and entrances at the concert, which spectators were not allowed to switch between, and the space was specially ventilated.

A similar concert with 5,000 people already took place in Madrid in December, albeit without being part of a research project, and spectators had to stay seated and a keep distance from each other.