The United Kingdom’s prime minister, Boris Johnson, has said that supporters will be allowed to attend events in stadiums in England when the national lockdown ends on 2 December 2020.
This will allow a major boost to governing bodies who have been pressed to either reschedule events or hold them behind closed doors during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as provide a lifeline to individual clubs that have been trying to survive without revenue from ticket sales.
Outdoors stadiums in tier 1 areas can hold up to 4,000 socially-distanced fans or half of its maximum capacity, depending on which is fewer as they have been deemed to be medium risk by the government.
Also, outdoor stadiums in tier 2 areas that are currently viewed to be high risk are allowed up to 2,000 spectators or half of their maximum capacity, depending on which is fewer.
Indoors stadiums in tiers 1 and 2 will be allowed to host up to 1,000 fans or half of their maximum capacity, depending on which is fewer.
While both indoor and outdoor stadiums in tier 3 areas will have to continue to hold events behind closed doors as they are still deemed high risk.
The government’s coronavirus tier system will, however, be strengthened when the national lockdown ends on December 2, meaning more areas will fall into higher tiers than previously, warned the prime minister.
During a virtual statement regarding England’s exit from its national lockdown to the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon, the Prime Minister said: “The hard truth is that we are not there yet. We must get through winter without the virus spreading out of control. Our winter plan is designed to carry us safely to spring.
“I can confirm that the national restrictions will end on December 2 and they will not be renewed. Collective worship, weddings and outdoor sports can resume and shops, personal care and the wider leisure sector can reopen.
“In tiers 1 and 2, spectator sports will be free to resume inside and outside with capacity limits and social distancing. Later this week, we will announce which areas will fall into which tier – I hope on Thursday – based on analysis of cases in all age groups and the rate of which cases are rising or falling.
“I’m sorry to say we expect more regions will fall, at least temporarily, into higher levels than before.
“2020 has been a tragic year – winter will be hard – but we have turned a corner and an escape route is in sight. We must hold tight and pull together for one final push to the spring.”
In an official statement issued via the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “This is a big step forward for sport.”
“Bringing grassroots sport back was my No 1 priority so I’m pleased we are reopening sports and gyms in every tier, in recognition of the significant health benefits.
“I’m also delighted we are able to get the turnstiles turning sooner than expected, taking a cautious approach and starting with the lowest-risk areas first.
“I’m confident that sports will take every step to ensure their fans are safe, and fans will play their part and look out for each other until we can safely get everyone back in.”
This new resolve has been met with great enthusiasm as it’s been long overdue.
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