Requirements to minimize airborne infections related to virus aerosol contamination at indoor cultural events

Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has resulted in many live events being canceled or held without spectator participation. It is therefore necessary to develop strategies to determine the conditions under which cultural activities can be maintained. In this study the results from available literature were combined with findings, guidelines and regulations for other indoor environments and recommendations were derived. In the cultural sector, the number of experimental investigations, surveys and simulations is comparatively small. This is probably due to the complexity of the events in terms of location and visitor flow, so the respective conditions under which they take place can be very different. It is therefore practically impossible to predict the risk of infection for a specific situation with potential virus spreaders attending or to derive general rules that go beyond the known measures of vaccination, testing, masks and distance. Cultural events can be held under pandemic conditions, provided certain conditions are met. Most study results agree on this. However, any recommendations for hygiene, safety and ventilation measures in cultural institutions can only minimize the risk of infection, but cannot completely rule it out. It is also of considerable importance that visitors protect themselves individually and act responsibly.