Singing is no more risky than talking when it comes to the possibility of spreading the new coronavirus, British scientists said on Thursday, adding that quantity is the most significant risk element.
Weekly, the British government altered its guidance to allow professionals and non-professionals to resume singing rehearsals and performance, bringing the essential social distancing into line with usual COVID-19 principles and removing the requirement for additional mitigations.
That choice was informed by a study by scientists based at the University of Bristol, who examined the number of aerosols and droplets made by 25 professional singers that did singing, speaking, coughing and breathing exercises.
The researchers discovered that the aerosol mass generated increased steeply with an increase in volume of singing or speaking, by as much as 20 to 30 times.
However, singing didn't create considerably more aerosol than talking at a similar volume, and there was not a significant difference in aerosol production between different genres like choral, musical theatre, opera, jazz, gospel pop or rock.
"The study has shown the transmission of viruses in small aerosol particles generated whenever someone sings or talks are equally possible with both activities generating similar numbers of particles," said Jonathan Reid, director of the ESPRC Centre for Doctoral Training at Aerosol Science.
"Our research has offered a rigorous scientific foundation for COVID-19 recommendations for arts venues to operate safely for both performers and audience by ensuring that distances are appropriately ventilated to decrease the possibility of airborne transmission"
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has acknowledged the potential for aerosol transmission of the coronavirus after outbreaks linked to indoor spaces such as through choir practice, but has known for further evidence on the situation.
Weekly, the British government altered its guidance to allow professionals and non-professionals to resume singing rehearsals and performance, bringing the essential social distancing into line with usual COVID-19 principles and removing the requirement for additional mitigations.
That choice was informed by a study by scientists based at the University of Bristol, who examined the number of aerosols and droplets made by 25 professional singers that did singing, speaking, coughing and breathing exercises.
The researchers discovered that the aerosol mass generated increased steeply with an increase in volume of singing or speaking, by as much as 20 to 30 times.
However, singing didn't create considerably more aerosol than talking at a similar volume, and there was not a significant difference in aerosol production between different genres like choral, musical theatre, opera, jazz, gospel pop or rock.
"The study has shown the transmission of viruses in small aerosol particles generated whenever someone sings or talks are equally possible with both activities generating similar numbers of particles," said Jonathan Reid, director of the ESPRC Centre for Doctoral Training at Aerosol Science.
"Our research has offered a rigorous scientific foundation for COVID-19 recommendations for arts venues to operate safely for both performers and audience by ensuring that distances are appropriately ventilated to decrease the possibility of airborne transmission"
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has acknowledged the potential for aerosol transmission of the coronavirus after outbreaks linked to indoor spaces such as through choir practice, but has known for further evidence on the situation.