Effects of COVID-19 Infection Control Measures on the Festival and Event Sector in Poland and Norway

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a strong impact on the functioning of the event industry. This article aims to present the impact of infection control measures on the event sector. In addition, the article compares the infection control measures implemented in Poland and Norway. The COVID-19 infection measures analysis is the first stage of a project to build the resilience of the event sector. The study was conducted based on secondary data (analysis of documents and public statistics, with the support of the literature). The research used the descriptive method and comparisons. The results of the study confirmed the following research hypotheses according to which: (1) uncertainty is conducive to overreactions, both of the government and entities from the event sector; (2) mutual trust between government and society reduces the need for restrictions; and (3) the lack of mutual trust between government and society increases uncertainty. Furthermore, the inability to meet people, limited access to culture, and the need to work from home contributed to the deterioration of societies’ quality of life and mental health. This means that the pandemic has an adverse impact on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3 and 8).

What counts, safety and security or hygiene? Suggestions on the reopening of major events under pandemic conditions in Germany

“…This was accompanied by many, at times rapidly changing and strict requirements (e.g. Almutairi et al , 2022; Madray, 2020; Duarte Muñoz and Meyer, 2020; Janiszewska et al , 2021). In addition, a new actor, public health authorities, gained a powerful position in the approval process, alongside the public order departments as the actual approval authorities for events.…”

“…Additional studies examine the impacts of COVID-19 on future events, the event industry and issues like resilience (e.g. Davies, 2021; Dragin-Jensen et al , 2022; Janiszewska et al , 2021; Khlystova et al , 2022; Parnell et al , 2022). Only few address the connection between safety and hygiene concepts (e.g.…”

Event innovation in times of uncertainty

“…The global context of the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the fragility of events (Janiszewska et al , 2021), as the very fabric of this unique “spatial-temporal phenomenon” (Getz, 2008, p. 404) has been contested. The most common event attendance motivations – of a physically social and location-specific nature (Dragin-Jensen et al , 2018) – cannot be currently be activated due to prohibitions of mass gatherings and travel restrictions.…”

Sustainable Development in Smart and Resilient Local Government Areas: An Empirical Investigation of Victoria, Australia

“…The ongoing expansion of societies emerges opportunities and challenges for planners and engineers to improve the development and management of multidimensional urban systems, including those of sustainability, smartness, and resiliency. Also, the recent Covid pandemic could be a game-changer in urban and regional areas emphasizing sustainable development for businesses and governments [1]. Decentralization and changes in the dynamics of pre-covid urban life are an opportunity to better understand and revise policies in place for promoting sustainability in regional hubs to attract more residents.…”