1,000 Barcelona residents have taken part in study to test the effectiveness of same-day coronavirus screening at cultural events.
After taking an antigen test immediately before the performance, half of the volunteers were randomly selected to enter the the city's Apolo Theater for a free concert. The rest were sent home and will form a control group so that contagion inside the concert hall can be evaluated.
The antigen tests, while not as accurate as other types of tests, can produce results in 15 minutes rather than several hours or days later.
Dr. Boris Revollo, the virologist who designed the study’s protocols, urged event organisers to continue with face masks and other Covid precautions, but believes same-day antigen screening for large events could be a powerful tool to help make large events safe enough until vaccines are widespread.