Attendees had all tested negative for coronavirus prior to the non-socially distanced research event.

A 5000-person concert held in Barcelona (Spain) has shown “no sign” of increased COVID-19 infections, researchers have reported. 

On March 27th, 5,000 people attended the concert at Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona as part of a series of pilot events, which tested the effectiveness of rapid coronavirus testing as a way of preventing infections at large events. 

Attendees priorly tested negative for coronavirus. All guests wore masks, but there were no social distancing rules in place.

Only six of those who attended the concert tested positive for COVID-19 in the two weeks following the event which is much lower than the infection rates seen in Spain’s general population. 

Researchers concluded that at least four of those who tested positive were infected somewhere other than the concert. "There is no sign that suggests transmission took place during the event," infectious disease specialist Josep Maria Llibre said during a news conference on Tuesday.

Love of Lesbian, who performed at the concert tweeted: 

"For the umpteenth time, it has been proven that culture is safe. So let us act prudently, but also accordingly. It is possible to be brave when there are guarantees because this is what differentiates bravery from unconsciousness. The data have proven us right."

This weekend, a similar event will take place in Liverpool. 6,000 clubbers will return to the dancefloor as part the government's Events Research Programme (ERP), which is trialling events at nightclubs, stadiums, theatres and concerts with volunteers.