Glastonbury 2021: Michael Eavis reveals potential ‘massive Covid-19 testing arrangements’

Organiser suggested testing people three times before admission

Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis has given an update about next year’s festival, amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.

The long-running rock music festival was one of many to be cancelled this year as a result of the pandemic, and it remains unclear whether next year’s event will be able to event take place.

Speaking at a Wells Festival of Literature Q&A event at Wells Cathedral School last night (21 October), Eavis suggested that the festival could take place with the implementation of “massive testing arrangements”.

“The testing is going so well now, there could be massive testing arrangements,” he said (as quoted by GlastoFestFeed).

“Do we want to test 200,000 people three times – when they leave their home, when they’re halfway here, and when they get to the [festival] gate – so that we’re clear of Covid?” he asked.

Michael Eavis opens a new area of the long-running festival during Glastonbury 2019 (AFP via Getty Images)

Eavis was appearing at the event to promote the release of the recent book Glastonbury 50, released to coincide with the festival’s 50th year.

Earlier this year, Eavis and his daughter and festival co-organiser Emily Eavis said that they were uncertain whether a festival would be viable next year.