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Facemasks Key To Bringing Fans Back To Stadiums Safely

With the UK Government’s announcement that up to 4000 fans would be allowed to attend football matches depending on what tier they fall under when the lockdown measures are relaxed in December, we ask AnyBrand Masks’ co-founder, Colin Graham how they could play a part in ensuring the overall safety of fans coming back to the stadium environment.

 

 

The UK Government has announced plans for a limited return of fans to stadiums depending on what tier those clubs fall into. How will face-coverings help with the safe return of fans?

We’ve been exploring how our fully brandable face coverings and HeiQ Viroblock technology for surface coatings can help speed things up. It’s not a cure-all solution, but as part of a package, with rapid testing, track and trace and other measures, it could really be the silver bullet that makes the all-important difference.

 

Tell us about the masks you provide?

We undertook a rigorous global search for solutions to counteract SARS CoV-2 (Covid-19), which led us to Swiss company HeiQ and their Viroblock treatment.

 

So what sets HeiQ treated face coverings above your standard face covering?

HeiQ Viroblock NPJ03 is among the first textile technologies in the world to be proven 99.99% effective against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) by an independent institution*. Our face coverings are safe to re-use and handle because HeiQ Viroblock is able to destroy the virus on contact, whereas untreated face coverings may become vectors for transmission if not properly washed.

 

A Viroblock treated face covering is 20 times more effective in containing the virus, so reduces the need for social distancing. Importantly, our re-usable, recyclable face coverings, made from recycled materials are far more sustainable than single us masks, which are quickly becoming an environmental catastrophe.

 

How could that work in stadiums?

AnyBrand are also working with HeiQ to treat hard surfaces areas in stadiums. We envisage that along with this technology venues could issue a new mask each game. Like the flags and programmes we are used to, face coverings could be branded for that game with team logos and sponsors.

 

Theoretically costs could then be covered by sponsors who would get some excellent TV coverage during matches as a result. As we’ve seen in F1, face coverings seen in these places of influence are having a hugely positive effect. This holistic approach is going to help keep people safe and reduce the rigorous social distancing required by venues at present. This should effectively increase venue capacity back to 60+%. AnyBrand can help stadiums do this in an effective, affordable and scalable way.

 

For more information, visit www.anybrandmask.com  

 

*McAuley J. (2020) Report on “Viral Stability and Per-sistence of SARS-CoV-2 on Treated Material”.