French Rock Group Indochine Plays COVID Trial Gig in Paris

People cheer during a concert of French DJ Etienne de Crecy and
rock band Indochine, aimed at assessing the risk of COVID-19
transmission at live events, at the AccorHotels Arena in Paris,
France, May 29, 2021. (AFP Photo)
People cheer during a concert of French DJ Etienne de Crecy and rock band Indochine, aimed at assessing the risk of COVID-19 transmission at live events, at the AccorHotels Arena in Paris, France, May 29, 2021. (AFP Photo)
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French Rock Group Indochine Plays COVID Trial Gig in Paris

People cheer during a concert of French DJ Etienne de Crecy and
rock band Indochine, aimed at assessing the risk of COVID-19
transmission at live events, at the AccorHotels Arena in Paris,
France, May 29, 2021. (AFP Photo)
People cheer during a concert of French DJ Etienne de Crecy and rock band Indochine, aimed at assessing the risk of COVID-19 transmission at live events, at the AccorHotels Arena in Paris, France, May 29, 2021. (AFP Photo)

Starved of live music for the past year, fans of veteran French rock band Indochine on Saturday got the chance to see their idols in concert, all in the name of Covid-19 research.

Around 5,000 concert goers were taking part in the experimental event at Paris's Bercy concert hall. A further 2,500 volunteers who did not attend the concert will be used as a comparison group.

The trial to assess the risk of Covid transmission at events has been eagerly awaited by the live music and entertainment sector which has been devastated by Covid-19.

"It's been so long that we have waited for a reopening of this kind of event. So finding a concert, in addition to it being Indochine, is really great," Camille, 26, from the Paris region, said, AFP reported.

Before being admitted, the concert goers, all aged between 18 and 45 with no special risk factors, handed over an envelope containing a saliva test done earlier on Saturday.

Each person was also required to have had a negative antigen test in the last three days.

Once inside, no social distancing was required but masks were compulsory.

Due to the 9 pm curfew still in place in France, the concert took earlier than normal with Indochine on stage by 6 pm.

Similar trials have already taken place elsewhere in Europe and the Bercy concert had been postponed a number of times.



AlUla Kicks Off Summer Fruits Season, Celebrates Abundant Harvest

AlUla's mango farms yield over 1,125 tons from 125,000 hectares, and fig, grape, and pomegranate farms produce over 3,141 tons from 348 hectares. - SPA
AlUla's mango farms yield over 1,125 tons from 125,000 hectares, and fig, grape, and pomegranate farms produce over 3,141 tons from 348 hectares. - SPA
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AlUla Kicks Off Summer Fruits Season, Celebrates Abundant Harvest

AlUla's mango farms yield over 1,125 tons from 125,000 hectares, and fig, grape, and pomegranate farms produce over 3,141 tons from 348 hectares. - SPA
AlUla's mango farms yield over 1,125 tons from 125,000 hectares, and fig, grape, and pomegranate farms produce over 3,141 tons from 348 hectares. - SPA

The Royal Commission for AlUla announced the launch of AlUla's harvest season, starting with the AlUla Summer Fruits Season. This seven-day event from July 22 to 28 at Al Manshiyah Farmers Market marks the beginning of several seasonal celebrations, including dates, citrus, peregrine, and honey seasons.

According to SPA, during the Summer Fruits Season, farmers and local families will showcase diverse fruits, supporting comprehensive agricultural and economic development. The commission aims to drive economic growth through community initiatives during this peak harvest period for AlUla's over 5,000 farms, which boast more than 50,000 trees.

AlUla's mango farms yield over 1,125 tons from 125,000 hectares, and fig, grape, and pomegranate farms produce over 3,141 tons from 348 hectares.

Celebrating centuries of agricultural history, AlUla's diverse and high-quality produce balances ancient traditions and sustainable agriculture. The Royal Commission for AlUla prioritizes agricultural development to boost economic opportunities, enhance competitiveness, create local jobs, and offer visitors a unique experience of the region's agricultural