Infection-prevention Procedures Including Rapid Antigen Testing on a Choral Concert Amid Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic

Abstract

Amid novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, choral activities are considered as the activities with the highest risk of spreading infection. Wearing masks on stage is an effective infection control measure; however, it has the disadvantage of making it difficult to sing and reducing the quality of music. We conducted a 12-song, 90-minute choral concert with 24 on-stage singers during the epidemic period in January 2023, with a quantitative rapid antigen test negative on the day of the concert, ensuring social distance on stage, and performing without masks. PCR test was conducted 1 week after the event; only one person was positive for PCR testing. Even during the Omicron strain epidemic, which has a short incubation period, it was considered possible to hold a choral concert without masks by utilizing a quantitative antigen test before the concert.