How UV-C is helping Dutch theaters to reopen with peace of mind

• Royal Theater Carré in Amsterdam and Theater De Ruchte in Someren are pioneering the use of Philips UV-C disinfection upper air luminaires in theaters
• The UV-C technology provides an additional layer of protection against infection on top of existing governmental guidelines
• UV-C disinfection upper air luminaires in test setup inactivated 99.99% of SARS-COV-2 in the air of a room within 10 minutes¹

Eindhoven, the Netherlands – Signify (Euronext: LIGHT), the world leader in lighting, is helping theater goers in the Netherlands to again do what they love most: view top performances in some of the nation’s most renowned theaters. Signify is equipping Royal Theater Carré in the center of Amsterdam and Theater De Ruchte in Someren with almost 100 Philips UV-C disinfection upper air luminaires. 

The Netherlands is gradually lifting COVID-19-related lockdown measures, including reopening of cultural venues to the general public, while still taking the 1.5-meters guidance into account. By installing UV-C disinfection upper air luminaires, these two Dutch theaters are showing to other venues around the globe how UV-C can contribute to welcoming back their guests in safer spaces.

UV-C is key to providing guests, performers and employees with an extra layer of protection against viruses and bacteria. This on top of existing guidelines from the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), which include specific walking routes, social distancing, new norms for ventilation, the use of face masks indoors, and the availability of hand sanitizers.

Royal Theater Carré installed approximately 75 Philips UV-C upper air luminaires in the foyers for performers and the general audience, dressing rooms and in its offices.

“We are just as happy as our guests and performers to be open again. Among other measures, these UV-C luminaires will minimize the risk of infection for our guests, performers and our colleagues,” said Thomas Groen, Manager Sales & Partnerships at Royal Theater Carré.

Additional protection, also post-COVID-19

In Theater De Ruchte in Someren, future events, congresses and performances will be much safer and more COVID-19 proof. This is where installation company ETB Willem Bos will install around 20 Philips UV-C disinfection upper air luminaires in the foyers, hallways and meeting rooms. The theater already has some UV-C luminaires installed as part of a pilot.

“We’re extremely proud that we’re able to support cultural venues in safely reopening their doors thanks to our UV-C luminaires,” said Frans Konings, UV-C Sales Lead at Signify. “Other organizations, including restaurants, hotels and schools, can of course benefit just as much from UV-C luminaires, also post-COVID-19.”

UV-C

UV-C is a well-established method of disinfection, used to prevent the spread of diseases by disinfecting air, water and surfaces. UV-C breaks down the DNA or RNA of microorganisms including viruses and bacteria, rendering them harmless. UV-C disinfection upper air luminaires continuously disinfect the air while there are people present.² Test results show that UV-C disinfection upper air luminaires inactivated 99.99% of SARS-COV-2 in the air of a room within 10 minutes.

Signify has been at the forefront of UV technology for more than 35 years and has a proven track record in developing innovative UV-C disinfection solutions. Signify's UV-C lighting is designed, installed and used according to product-specific safety instructions, and manufactured in controlled industrial processes.

For more information about Signify’s UV-C lighting solutions visit our webpages here.