While vaccines are slowly being distributed around the world, it is possible that doses will not be available for the Belgian public until late next year. This uncertainty has made it difficult for organizers to plan large-scale events and has left some fans doubting that festivals will return in 2021. According to a new interview with Belgian epidemiologist Pierre Van Damme, however, Tomorrowland 2021 may be able to take place as scheduled through the use of testing villages and masks.
When speaking to Gazet van Antwerpen about the festival, Van Damme stated that he believes the festival can still take place if attendees wear masks. He shared that test villages with rapid testing services are being discussed. It’s not yet clear what exactly would constitute a test village or how it would differ from a standard testing site. The report also suggests that there will be a meeting between festival and government officials in the near future, which will potentially lead to news for prospective attendees.
At the time of writing, Tomorrowland organizers have not released an official statement regarding the test villages or specific measures that will be implemented in 2021. In place of any concrete information on next summer’s event, a general health and safety statement was shared, stating that they will be operating by the rules set by the national government and affirming their commitment to the safety of those involved.
“The preparations for Tomorrowland 2021 are currently ongoing,” reads a passage. “Governmental instructions will be followed up closely during these preparations. The well-being, health, and safety of the People of Tomorrow, our partners, our neighbors, the artists, and our team are still our top priority.”
The next iteration of Tomorrowland is set to take place July 16th–18th and July 23rd–25th, 2021 in Boom, Belgium. Previous performers include Black Coffee, Carl Cox and Eric Prydz. Additional information on the event can be found on the event website.
