EVE Fanfest 2022 in Reykjavik is barely over, and the first cases of COVID-19 among attendees have already started to emerge. At least two people who were at the event have reported testing positive, including famous EVE Online player Charles White, who plays the character of Space Pope Max Singularity. Charles posted a tweet with a video showing his positive lateral flow test in order to warn attendees who have been in close contact with him that they may have been exposed.
This year’s Fanfest was CCP Games’ first in-person event since the pandemic began and was originally pitched as a COVID-safe event that would require proof of vaccination and follow all other local guidelines. But that requirement was dropped earlier this year when Iceland began removing its COVID safety restrictions in the middle of its Omicron wave, meaning Fanfest lacked vaccine, masking, and social distancing requirements. Instead, CCP’s stated health and safety plan to protect attendees from a virus transmitted by airborne aerosolized particles was to provide hand sanitizer and “encourage [attendees] to be mindful of other people’s personal space.” Case counts in Iceland itself have been relatively low this spring, but of course Fanfest drew hundreds gamers from all over the world, including countries like the US currently experiencing a rise in cases in a pandemic that is still very much not over.
Kyonoke Plague!! https://t.co/PPDZlquC9W
They say I’m a positive person!!
— Max Singularity Space Pope (@MaxSingularity) May 8, 2022
There are inherent risks right now in any international travel or in-person events, but obviously we hope Fanfest doesn’t lead to a major outbreak, especially given the recent devastating news that a PAX staffer died after contracting the virus at PAX East this year. Attendees travelling to the US or Canada are required to provide a negative test result before they can board their flight, so this could disrupt some people’s international travel plans in addition to the obvious health risk. Here’s hoping the Space Pope and everyone else has a safe trip home and speedy recovery.
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