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CTS Eventim chief says events operators can influence COVID vaccine uptake

CTS Eventim’s chief executive believes event organisers should play their part in promoting COVID-19 vaccinations by making immunisation status a requirement of entry to venues.

Klaus-Peter Schulenberg told business magazine Wirtschaftswoche that CTS Eventim, which owns Eventim and TicketOne, already has the scanning technology to check both the tickets and vaccination records of attendees.

Schulenberg – whose Germany-headquartered company has been helping to organise jab appointments – said the widespread availability of COVID vaccines and evidence of their safety means private operators should use conditional access to their goods and services as a means to encourage uptake.

“If there is enough vaccine and everyone can be vaccinated, then private-sector organisers should also have the opportunity to make a vaccination as an entry requirement for events,” he told WirtschaftsWoche.

“We have set up our systems in such a way that they can also read vaccination cards.

“When you see how vaccinations are now taking place worldwide without any relevant side effects, then it is to be hoped that scepticism will soon disappear.”

CTS Eventim has been providing its technology to arrange appointments in Schleswig-Holstein, and is in talks with other German states as well as nations such as Austria, Brazil, Italy and Switzerland.

“The faster the population is vaccinated, the faster events can take place again. For us, however, the focus is on making a contribution so that we can all overcome this pandemic as soon as possible,” said Schulenberg.

CTS Eventim announced plans to enter the US market early last year through a joint global touring venture with promoter Michael Cohl.

Meanwhile, it has also been reported that two UK music venues are set to trial a new system of digital “health passports” in a bid to reopen live gigs safely.

The trials, using the You Check app and in association with Music Venue Trust and the DCMS, are reportedly planned for London’s 100 Club and The Exchange in Bristol for March, Event Industry News reports. The events will be staged at 25-per-cent capacity with two sets of tests on the same people.