Assisting health authorities with contact tracing: Leading cultural, hospitality and sports associations explore collaboration

28 January 2021 – With a view to recording and tracking visitor flows during the coronavirus pandemic, leading associations from the areas of culture, hospitality and sport are exploring cross-sector collaboration. The initial aim is to analyse whether jointly deploying one or more technical solutions could be a viable way to efficiently support the work of public health authorities in terms of infection control. The aim of all those involved is to contribute to the return of social life in Germany as soon as possible.

The following organisations have informally joined forces to evaluate a possible collaboration: AG Kino – Gilde deutscher Filmkunsttheater [German Arthouse Cinema Guild]; Deutscher Bühnenverein [German Stage Association]; the German Football Association (DFB); the German Hotel and Restaurant Association (DEHOGA); the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB); the German Museums Association; HDF KINO [Association of German Film Theatres]; the DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga, easyCredit Basketball-Bundesliga (BBL), LIQUI MOLY Handball-Bundesliga (HBL) and PENNY Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL), which are united in the Initiative Profisport Deutschland; as well as the Umbrella Organisation of the German Film Industry (SPIO).

As a first step, an online survey will be conducted among the association members to obtain information including the infrastructure and methods that were used to record visitors last year before the renewed lockdown. At the time – under the coronavirus restrictions – cultural and sporting events were allowed – with spectators in some cases – and restaurants were open, for example. In addition, the survey is intended to record how, if applicable, data was transmitted to the health authorities in the event that visitor infections became known at a later date. The results of this survey, which was launched today (Thursday 28 January), will be used to assess the potential for possible joint solutions. Of course, data protection and the security of visitors’ data will be given high priority in the implementation of any future digital applications.