The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson has confirmed that stadiums in England will start hosting fans after the current coronavirus restriction has been lifted. The restriction will be lifted on December 2.
According to the analysis of the new arrangement, stadiums in England will be placed in different categories or tiers, from tier one to three. Each tier will have a specific number of fans that will be allowed into a stadium.
For instance, stadiums that fall under tier 1, will be allowed to host a maximum of 4,000 spectators; the stadiums under tier 2 will be allowed to host 2,000 spectators; while those categories as tier three will continue to play behind closed doors.
The stadiums categorize under tier 1 are located in areas that the government marks as medium risk. Despite that, the management of the stadiums must ensure that the spectators at the stadium maintain social distancing and they don’t exceed half of the stadiums’ maximum capacity. While the stadiums categorized as tier 2 are located in areas which the government marked as high risk.
This development is seen as a big Christmas gift to the clubs that are located in areas marked as tier one and two because most clubs, especially those playing in the Premier League, have been craving for permission to start hosting spectators.
Most of the clubs have been lamenting about their dwindling revenue because they have been forced to play behind closed doors after the three months induced coronavirus break which ended in June.
Since the commencement of the 2020-2021 season, the clubs have been telling the government how set they are to host fans but the government has been insisting that it is not safe enough due to the coronavirus pandemic.
However, the Prime minister announced to the house of commons recently that fans will start returning to stadiums in England after December 2.
He 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 an analysis of cases in all age groups and the rate at 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 an insight. We must hold tight and pull together for one final push to the spring.”
COVID WINTER PLAN
— Oliver Dowden (@OliverDowden) November 23, 2020
Sports fans back in stadia from 2nd Dec
4️⃣K or 50% of capacity in Tier 1
2️⃣K or 50% of capacity in Tier 2
A big step forward for fans as we work towards fuller capacities
Thanks to pilot hosts & fans for showing this can be done safely@HuddlestonNigel pic.twitter.com/YKJnc7JAx0
