RESTART-19 is a research project of the University of Halle and took place under the supervision of infectiologist Dr. Stefan Moritz. The project was about determining the risk of becoming infected with the Covid-19 virus. This was to be as realistic as possible, but in line with the scientific study design.

How was RESTART-19 funded?

The whole project was estimated to cost 990,000 euros. Everything is free of charge for the test persons and they do not have to spend anything. Among other things, free food as well as drinks were available. Through the musician Tim Bendzko, a concert feeling as realistic as possible should arise to make the study realistic.

The project was supported, among others, by the Ministry of Economy, Science and Digitalization of the State of Saxony-Anhalt and the State Ministries of Science, Culture and Tourism and Social Affairs and Social Cohesion of the Free State of Saxony. Partners of the project are SC DHfK Leipzig, Handball, and ZSL Betreibergesellschaft mbH.

Where did the RESTART-19 project take place?

The project had to take place in an environment that was as close to reality as possible. For this reason, the Quarterback Real Estate Arena in Leipzig was used for the research project, which could accommodate a sufficient number of people to participate in the research project. After all, the nearly 4,000 planned participants also had to be accommodated somehow.

The journey to the arena was simulated, among other things, by specially planned streetcar lines. Meanwhile, people could park their vehicles in a park and ride and then travel to the quarterback real estate arena free of charge. These costs were also covered in the budget of almost one million euros.

How many people were involved in RESTART-19?

The plan was to conduct the research project with just under 4000 test subjects. In total, there would have been 3 different models to be tested. These will be explained in more detail later.

When did RESTART-19 take place?

The project took place on August 22, 2020. On this day, all 3 models were run through and these were also recorded. This organizational feat was handled well and the day was completed without delays. On the day, a special hygiene concept then applied, which had to ensure the safety of the participants.

Which scenarios were tested during RESTART-19?

Three different scenarios were tested during the research project.

• The first simulation was to take place as it did before Covid 19. This means that there was no directed steering of participants and there were no minimum distances. The simulation took place under the strictest hygiene conditions in order to be able to guarantee the safety of the participants.
• The second simulation took place with a targeted steering of the participants. Here, too, there was a strict hygiene concept.
• In the third and final test, only 2000 test persons were allowed to participate. This was because a safety distance of 1.5 meters per person was planned.

How were the results recorded?

On the study day, all participants were equipped with so-called contact tracers. These determined how many other devices they were close to for a longer period of time. The three different experiments were thus designed to investigate whether contact decreases when the participants are directed or when they are at a specified minimum distance from other people.

What was the hygiene concept at RESTART-19?

Among other things, an FFP2 mask had to be worn in the hall. Since the participants were supplied with food and drinks throughout the day, this could only be consumed outside the hall.

Regular surface disinfection also ensured a safe environment for the study. Likewise, each participant was given their own bottle of disinfectant.

The subjects had to undergo a Covid-19 test before arrival. This was sent and could then be returned. If a test was positive, the individual was immediately notified by telephone and was not accepted as a participant for the study.

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