| Fans at sporting events: Maximum of 4,000 set to be allowed in England 15:18 - Nov 23 with 202 views | BringBackTheRedRoom |
A maximum of 4,000 fans are set to be allowed at outdoor events in the lowest-risk areas when the national lockdown in England ends on 2 December, BBC Sport understands.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to make an announcement later on Monday about the return of crowds.
He will make a statement to the House of Commons, and MPs will vote on it later in the week.
Up to 2,000 fans will be allowed in tier two areas but zero in tier three.
The measures are set to be part of the new Covid-19 restrictions in England.
Elite sport has continued behind closed doors during England's four-week lockdown, but grassroots and amateur sport has been halted since 5 November.
More to follow.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/55010011 | |
| ‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’ |
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| Fans at sporting events: Maximum of 4,000 set to be allowed in England on 15:24 - Nov 23 with 197 views | Imperial |
I am not against this just the timing.
Surely now we are so close vaccine first. | | | |
| Fans at sporting events: Maximum of 4,000 set to be allowed in England on 20:25 - Nov 23 with 187 views | BringBackTheRedRoom |
Updated...
A maximum of 4,000 fans will be allowed at outdoor events in the lowest-risk areas when the four-week lockdown in England ends on 2 December.
Up to 2,000 people will be allowed in tier two areas but none in tier three.
Indoor venues in tiers one and two can have a maximum of 1,000 spectators, with capacity across indoor and outdoor venues limited to 50%.
Organised grassroots sport will be able to resume, and gyms and leisure centres can reopen across all tiers.
Elite sport has continued behind closed doors during the national lockdown, but grassroots and amateur sport has been halted since 5 November.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the government's new measures and Covid-19 restrictions in England on Monday via video link to the House of Commons.
The news of which areas will be in which tiers is expected to be made public on Thursday.
"In tiers one and two, spectator sports and business events will be free to resume inside and outside with capacity limits and social distancing," said Johnson.
"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, especially the over-60s.
"Also, [it will involve] looking at the rate at which cases are rising or falling, the percentage of those tested in a local population who have Covid and current and projected pressures on the NHS."
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: "This is a big step forward for sport.
"Bringing grassroots sport back was my number one 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."
'We have missed our fans'
Football across England's top four divisions has been played behind closed doors since its return in June, following the first coronavirus lockdown.
The Premier League said it welcomed the prospect of fans returning in "small numbers" but it hopes to work with the government to increase this to more "substantial levels" to stop clubs operating "at a financial loss".
It added: "Our priority continues to be the agreement of a roadmap, with DCMS and the Sports Technology and Innovation Group, for pilot events that can help our clubs quickly scale up to larger capacities."
Burnley manager Sean Dyche said Monday's announcement was a "start point".
"Even if it is limited numbers, it brings that feel and that connection back," said Dyche, before his side's home Premier League match against Crystal Palace.
"Hopefully it will build quickly after that. We have missed our fans."
The English Football League (EFL) is looking at the possibility of shifting some of next week's fixtures to take advantage of the plan.
The EFL has a full schedule of matches in the Championship, League One and League Two across 1-2 December.
No decisions have yet been taken but any club in a tier one or two area that requested a move from Tuesday to Wednesday is likely to receive a favourable response if there is no conflict with broadcasting requirements.
"Fans have always felt football should be treated the same as other sectors," said a Football Supporters' Association statement.
"We welcome today's announcement, which does suggest that will be the case, and we look forward to seeing further details.
"For many lower-league and non-league clubs in particular, getting paying fans into stadiums safely is absolutely critical to their survival during a very difficult season.
"Clubs, leagues and the Sports Ground Safety Authority have worked hard to put in procedures to make stadiums safe places and we hope this is the first step on the road back to normality."
Grassroots sports can take place in all areas but the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said there will be "some restrictions on highest-risk activity in tier three areas".
Its statement added: "Spectators at non-elite sports will be able to attend events in line with Covid-secure guidance for each tier."
Indoor sports can resume but, because of "the higher transmission risk of coronavirus in an indoor setting", the DCMS said there would be restrictions on "some activities" depending on the "alert level" of the local area.
The DCMS rules for indoor sports
In tier one areas, indoor sports can take place within the rule of six. For example, people from different households could play three v three volleyball, or four people from different households could play doubles tennis or badminton.
Group activities such as training sessions and exercise classes can take place in larger numbers, provided that people are in separate groups (up to six people) that do not mix.
In tier two areas, indoor sport can take place within households and people can take part in group activity, like exercise classes, as long as there is no mixing between households.
People can play certain sports which do not involve close proximity or physical contact against one person from another household, such as a singles tennis match.
In tier three areas, indoor sport will be restricted to within your household only and there should be no group activity such as exercise classes.
What has the reaction been?
Sport England chief executive Tim Hollingsworth said: "Huge credit is due to the many organisations and individuals who have worked so hard to evidence how safe their activities and facilities are and to set out so clearly what they are doing to reduce risk.
"From the prime minister down, there is now a strong recognition of the vital benefits of playing sport and being active, not just for your physical wellbeing but also, crucially, as a support for your mental health.
"As we head into the winter months having a range of safe opportunities available like this is more important than ever."
A joint statement from some of horse racing's leading bodies said that, while it had been operating behind closed doors since 1 June, test events had shown "no evidence of transmission" of Covid-19.
"We know the numbers are limited to begin with and not all venues will be allowed to admit spectators, but this is progress," said British Horseracing Authority chief executive Nick Rust.
"I am confident that all our racegoers will follow the government's public health guidelines when they return to racing and this will allow us to increase the numbers attending."
Premiership Rugby chief executive Darren Childs said: "We won't know the exact impact on our clubs until the tiers are announced on Thursday, so my team stands ready to work with government to tackle the challenges of fan attendance in a way that minimises health risks.
"Keeping the league intact has been my number one priority during the pandemic and now we have the foundations from which to grow the game and build longer-term financial stability."
Before the announcement, Daniel Levy, chairman of Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur, said preparations had already been made for supporters coming back.
"Premier League clubs are entirely capable, similar to the experience in several other countries, of responsibly delivering outdoor events with social distancing, exemplary hygiene standards, qualified stewards, testing capabilities and diverse travel plans, operating in some of the most technologically advanced venues in the world," said Levy.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/55010011
That's The Horse of the Year show, and the Boxing Day (non) Fox hunting meetings saved.
Brings a new meaning to "elite" sports.  | |
| ‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’ |
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| Fans at sporting events: Maximum of 4,000 set to be allowed in England on 12:29 - Nov 24 with 178 views | spell_chekker |
It's official the, lockdown is ending soon?
Aren't infection and death rates still quite high? | |
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| Fans at sporting events: Maximum of 4,000 set to be allowed in England on 14:31 - Nov 24 with 172 views | Imperial |
Agree Spell, too much like yoyo policies.
What is happening where you are? | | | |
| Fans at sporting events: Maximum of 4,000 set to be allowed in England on 17:20 - Nov 24 with 167 views | spell_chekker |
We've been in this halfway house compromise lockdown in November.
We're expecting an announcement, perhaps this Thursday, on what's going to happen next.
There are loads of people knocking around, going about their day to day business but I can say that my contact with others has been greatly reduced and daily infection rates have come down - death rates haven't fallen yet but fingers crossed they will start to fall very soon.
Personally, I'd say that even though infection rates have come down, they're still way too high - very high in fact. It's just that we become desensitised to the high figures when 50,000 plus people a day were coming down with the virus. Currently 10k - 15k per day which is still monopoly money territory and could quickly spiral out of control.
As I said. We're expecting an announcement. Personally, I'd say it's a bit soon to lift the lockdown. It'll probably be a gradual relaxing thing.
I was at the doctor's today. An old skin complaint has flared up because of wearing a mask trying to get an exemption from wearing one whenever I have to go into work. He was having none of it ... too serious he said and I'd have to continue to wear a mask even if I end up looking like the Elephant Man.
Also, the doctor had a small marquee set up in the back garden of the surgery .... for covid testing. He's currently testing 2 - 3 positive cases per day. We're ouside the city, so rates are lower here he says. | |
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| Fans at sporting events: Maximum of 4,000 set to be allowed in England on 18:08 - Nov 24 with 164 views | BringBackTheRedRoom |
We'll have a better idea on Thursday when they announce which areas are in which Tiers. | |
| ‘Where there is harmony, may we bring discord. Where there is truth, may we bring error. Where there is faith, may we bring doubt. And where there is hope, may we bring despair’ |
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