Plan:et C Testing Strategy — Concept for three individual events on the Kulturkosmos site with 10,000 guests and 1,500 collaborators
Plan:et C ≈ alpha • α
20. — 22. August
Plan:et C ≈ beta • β
27. — 29. August
Plan:et C ≈ gamma • γ
17. — 19. September
In our testing concept for the 2021 Fusion we wrote that if tourism will be allowed again in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern at the festival time, we will also celebrate festival.
Nevertheless, we had to cancel Fusion 2021 and postpone it to 2022, as no planning certainty could be achieved by mid-May and no prospect of approval was apparent by then.
In the course of the cancellation, we have announced an alternative event concept for late summer: Plan:et C. We will hold three dance events with a cultural programme on the weekends of August 20-22, August 27-29 and September 17-19 on the Kulturkosmos site. The events will mostly take place outdoors and will be limited to a visitor number of 10,000.
We already developed an innovative PCR mass testing strategy in spring for all of the Fusion festival participants, which was designed to realise an event with 35,000 people under pandemic conditions.
In the course of planning for the Fusion Festival, we bought a mobile high-performance laboratory for PCR diagnostics. Since May, we have been operating a test station in Lärz, where we offer PCR tests for the public in addition to citizen tests (Bürgertests).
Based on our laboratory, we have adapted our testing strategy to the new event concept with 10,000 visitors.
In view of the shortened duration of the event, we assume that a PCR test on the day of arrival will provide sufficient protection against infection for all guests. We reserve the right to eventually not, or only upon request, test guests and collaborators who have immunity through vaccination or previous infection. Update 02.08.2021: We test all particapants without exception, including vaccinated and recovered people.
All employees have been PCR tested twice a week since mid-May. Regular testing is tracked through electronic registration. The link to the digital access authorisation to the catering ensures that the test cycles are adhered to.
Supporters arriving in advance will be tested upon arrival, as will all collaborators. Crews, Supporters and artists who arrive at the event will be tested in the same way as visitors.
When handling suppliers and service providers, masks are compulsory for them and any person who interact with them.
Our Concept
Free PCR tests for everyone
For the arrival of the guests we will set up two swab stations in the outdoor area of the event site: One station for all those arriving by bus and one station for all those arriving individually by car. The swabs will be linked via a QR code on a paper wristband.
Those arriving may set up their tents in the camping areas outside the event site during the time of the PCR test analysis, in compliance with the AHA rules.
After approx. 6-8 hours, the test result can be retrieved by scanning the QR code again; if the result is negative, the paper wristband is exchanged for a festival admission wristband. Guests can only enter the event site via a pedestrian bridge with a festival admission wristband.
Due to our laboratory structure, we can guarantee consistent, rapid testing for all, but, as already mentioned, we reserve the right to waive testing for those who have been fully vaccinated or to place it on a voluntary basis. A direct connection of a digital vaccination certificate to our ticket system was already taken into account during development. Update 02.08.2021
Arrival with a rapid test
In order to minimise the risk of infection already upon arrival, all visitors in cars and in buses, at the test stations and in the waiting areas as well as at the entrance, are requested to take a rapid test before departure. In addition, masks are compulsory until the festival admission wristbands have been obtained.
Safer than any everyday situation
With this overall strategy, we achieve that the risk of infection at the events is reduced to a minimal residual risk. By this we mean a significantly lower risk of infection than in all other everyday situations. We strive for a level of safety that allows us and our visitors to move and meet freely without the fear of infection and without the fear of infecting others.
Everyone on the event site can trust that everyone else has also tested negative. We therefore do not see the need for a general mask requirement or strict distance rules. However, we assume that our visitors, who from experience are characterised by a high degree of responsibility, can decide individually and depending on the situation for or against wearing a mask or keeping their distance. Any situation-dependent exceptions to the necessity of wearing a mask may arise at short notice and will be indicated by signs on site.
The necessity and usefulness of a contact tracing system have been evaluated in detail. As all participants are regularly PCR-tested, all cases of infection are detected at an early stage and reported to the health department. Timely and direct contact tracing is thus very simplified and a digital tracing system would only be useful as a small component, if at all. Update: 02.08.2021: In this context, we recommend using the Corona Warn app.
Individual arrival by train
All those travelling by train via Neustrelitz are requested to take a rapid antigen test before arriving. Shuttle buses will be used from Neustrelitz to Lärz, masks are compulsory on the buses and the general rules of public transport apply.
The number of people travelling by train is to be reduced as much as possible. Potential train travellers from Berlin and Hamburg are offered direct connections with the Bassliner. These have distinct advantages: they are cheaper, do not require changing trains and rapid tests can be completed directly before departure.
Individual arrival with own vehicle
On arrival in Lärz, the tickets of the vehicle passengers are first scanned and their personal details checked. Then it's off to the PCR test. The event site can only after a negative test result.
Crew
All crews and collaborators are regularly PCR tested before, during and after the event. For this purpose, we always have the swab site available in the immediate vicinity of our laboratory, within the grounds. This also ensures a final evaluation and assessment.
Artists
Artists must take a rapid test before boarding the shuttle, and are PCR tested upon arrival.
What happens if the PCR test is positive?
In case of a positive test result, we will make the necessary decisions in consultation with the health authority (Gesundheitsamt).
During the set-up phase, the test intervals can be increased if an infection occurs and, if necessary, individual work areas or all employees can be tested daily.
If arriving guests test positive, their ticket will be blocked and the entrance fee refunded. We will ensure that they and their contacts are safely escorted into quarantine. In consultation with the health authority (Gesundheitsamt) and depending on the situation, it will be clarified whether or how a return journey/pick-up can take place.
If required, we have separate accommodation available in our guest house.
After the Party?
Even though we can guarantee a high level of safety due to the extensive testing and the predominantly outdoor events, we recommend all guests and participants to observe eventual symptoms in themselves after the return journey, preferably to reduce contacts and to do a (quick) test after a few days.
Summary:
before leaving
Quick test at home.
admission situation
AHA
on the festivalsite
no mask obligation (possibly exceptions in queues at the bar, toilets, cinema etc)
afterwards
be attentive, test again after 5-6 days.
and the whole thing in a picture
We are looking forward to seeing you!
