New 15-minute Covid-19 testing service is a "game changer" for the events industry

Swallow Events has launched a rapid coronavirus testing service targeted towards the events industry, which provides test results in 15 minutes.

The breakthrough is a big step towards getting people back inside venues after the industry was brought to a standstill in the midst of the pandemic. Operated by government-approved healthcare professionals, the full pop-up service can be conducted on crowds or audiences of “any size and scale,” enabling large scale gatherings to be held in a Covid-secure environment.

Alternatively, Swallow Events is also offering a supply-only option and can ship the required supplies worldwide.

Oli Thomas, Founder and Managing Director of Swallow Events, said: “Our rapid testing kits – a market leader (which meets MHRA target product profile with sensitivity: 96,52% & specificity: 99,68%) used in conjunction with track and trace data-collection and other Covid-secure protocols such as touch point and temperature checks will help event organisers in all sectors from large scale festivals, concerts, stadia, business conferences and trade shows through to agricultural shows and small boutique festivals.”

The Chichester-based event management firm partnered with Swiss multinational healthcare company Roche to create the service which could kick-start the events industry across the UK and the rest of the world.

“The events industry has been forgotten and devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Thomas stated. “Although a common misconception, events have actually been allowed to take place in the UK in 2020. The guidelines regarding them, however, are unclear, with the ultimate decision often based on a single person’s opinion at local authority level.

“There are instances of events receiving approval and licences granted, only for them then to be revoked at the last minute, which only serves to further fuel financial problems and job losses to the industry,” he added: “With this in mind we are very proud to announce we are the first events company in the UK to offer an on-site rapid testing service for Covid-19 in as little as 15 minutes, which, we believe, is a complete game changer.”

The news of vaccines on the horizon has caused some experts to predict that live music could return safely by Spring 2021.

Meanwhile, Bandcamp announced Bandcamp Live, a new ticketed live streaming service where artists can perform for and connect with their fans.

More information can be found on Swallow Events’ website.