Sporting stadiums could open to fans from October, Boris Johnson confirms
Spectators will be able to attend live sporting events subject to a series of pilot tests
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Your support makes all the difference.Boris Johnson has confirmed that fans could return to stadiums in the UK in October, providing they pass a series of successful trials to ensure safety measures.
The Independent understands Premier League clubs are hoping to fill grounds to 40 per cent capacity next season and has set up a working group with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on the issue.
County cricket, including Surrey's friendly versus Middlesex at the Oval (26-27 July), the World Snooker Championships (31 July) and Glorious Goodwood (1 August) have all been given permission to welcome spectators.
“From 1 August, we will restart indoor performance to a live audience, subject to the success of pilots, and we will also pilot larger gatherings in venues like sports stadia, with a view to a wider reopening in the autumn,” the Prime Minister said at a coronavirus briefing on Friday morning.
“From October, we intend to bring back audiences in stadia. Again, these changes must be done in a Covid-secure way, subject to the successful outcome of pilots.”
However, there are still several logistical issues regarding social distancing that need to be solved in order to ensure there is minimal risk of spreading Covid-19.
The reducing of social distancing guidelines to one metre means fans could, in theory, be spread between every other seat, but there are concerns that supporters sitting at diagonal angles would still be a risk. Tickets will likely be distributed to season ticket holders via a ballot system.
There are also further anxieties over how fans would travel to and from stadiums, while it’s likely attendees would have to wear a facemask due to the likelihood of shouting and singing.
The Premier League has been at the forefront of sport’s return in the UK, with the government thought to be impressed by the success of Project Restart.
The return of supporters is particularly vital to the English Football League and other sports that rely on the income generated by gate receipts.
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