According to initial data from recent UK Government trials, large events with mass groups of people such as concerts are just as safe as going to a restaurant or shopping centre.

The Times reports that the first sets of data from the test events are promising for those looking forward to mass gatherings starting again this year.

The data was taken from such events as the recent nightclub trial in Liverpool and football matches at Wembley Stadium, including the FA Cup final.

Although it should be noted that this research was taken before the "Indian variant" became more widely spread in the UK, a government source told The Times that while "we are still waiting for the final bits of data but the results so far have been very encouraging”.

The Irish Government has recently hinted that we may see trial events over the Summer, but so far, no official announcement has been made for them.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said on Friday that the Government would make a statement this week about these issues. Reportedly, the All-Ireland finals are being considered as test events for the reopening of mass gatherings, with the GAA centre piece matches due to take place in August.

Another trial that took place in Spain, a Primavera Sound concert in Barcelona this January, found that there were no infections amongst those that attended. The event took place without social distancing measures but did require the wearing of masks.

Luxemburg also undertook a series of test concerts that took place in April earlier this year. Unlike the Barcelona event, fans will be seated around a central stage. Attendees then had to wear masks with strict social distancing measures.