While we know that festival season is postponed for 2020, many festival organizers will be looking ahead to 2021 and the opportunity this offers to create bigger and better events.
But when it comes to hygiene, let’s be honest, several days in a field is not one of the most sanitary of places as you’re likely trudging through mud, showering for a minute under cold water and queuing for an hour to brush your teeth.
Considering that most of the big festivals take place in the heart of the summer season, these events can become a real breeding ground for germs. With the recent events making us even more of the importance of general hygiene we take a look at how next year’s festivals can reinforce their hygiene conditions.
Hand washing stations
Hand washing is one of the most important and effective ways to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria. Bad germs can live on your hands, which can then enter your body when you touch your mouth and eyes. Hand washing stations dotted around the festival – with hot water and soap provided – can help to minimize the spreading of germs. Also providing hand sanitizer, which is at least 60% alcohol, at food stalls ensures people can protect themselves before tucking in – they’re likely to use their hands to eat and this is how germs and bad bacteria can spread.
Better quality toilets
The quality of toilets is a regular debate in the world of festivals. Everyone associates the classic blue portable toilets with camping, and while some single portable toilets such as these are essential, festivals should look at installing luxury portable toilets which are not too cramped and can have separate stalls for men and women.
Showers
Having a shower can be one of the biggest issues for festival-goers if they’re staying for multiple days. Not only are there not enough showers, which causes long queues of over an hour, but the facilities aren’t of the highest quality – essentially offering just cold water and no soap. By finding a way to provide warm water and soap, more people won’t rely on wet wipes for washing, therefore helping the environment and promoting better hygiene. One idea which would be hugely beneficial to festivals looking to better their hygiene conditions is to have free showers; charging for their use will only discourage people.
Promote hygiene
While the festival can implement these tools to encourage proper cleanliness and hygiene, it should also recommend some essentials for attendees to bring with them. These include:
- Personal antibacterial hand gel. While you may have stations dotted around, having some to hand will encourage people to use it more frequently.
- Soap and shower gels are available to use for free.
- Biodegradable wipes. If there isn’t the opportunity to get into a shower, wipes are the next best thing.
There are many ways to promote and reinforce hygiene conditions, it may require a significant investment, but can go a long way in reducing the risk of spreading germs and bacteria at festivals.
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