Vaccine proof plans considered for some sports eventson July 20, 2021 at 4:48 pm

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

Fans may be required to show proof of full vaccination to attend sports venues with capacities of about 20,000 or more by the end of September.

Wembley crowd during the Euro 2020 final

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Monday there was a plan to mandate certification at nightclubs and “other venues where large crowds gather”.

The BBC understands the definition of what constitutes a large crowd and what type of venues would fall under this label is yet to be determined.

Downing Street said on Tuesday that its focus is on “closed indoor settings”.

The prime minister’s official spokesperson said: “We’re not seeking to draw lines around particular settings.

“I think Professor [Jonathan] van Tam and the PM talked about the sort of areas where we’d be looking at enclosed spaces where large groups of people are brought together.

“We’re going to be looking at the latest data which currently is very focused on nightclubs. But we’ll be looking at the data both here and globally to consider what’s the best approach.”

A government spokesperson said: “As the Prime Minister said, we reserve the right to do what is necessary to protect the public and reduce transmission, including mandating Covid certification in certain settings.

“We are working closely with organisations that operate large, crowded settings, where people are likely to be in close proximity to others outside their household, to encourage the use of the NHS Covid pass, where appropriate.”

Indoor venues are expected to be treated differently to outdoor ones, and sports organisations are known to be seeking clarity on the matter.

The Racecourse Association (RCA), for example, said it would be speaking to the government and industry stakeholders “to understand the detail behind this plan”, and said it would be a “significant logistical operation”.

The RCA added: “It is vital that horse racing and the wider sports/leisure economies have contingency plans to avoid commercially damaging restrictions being re-imposed but equally allow us to host safe events”.

The UK government allowed the crowd capacity at Wembley to be raised to more than 60,000 for the semi-finals and final of Euro 2020.

Permitted under the government’s Events Research Programme, fans attending Wembley were required to follow a number of strict entry requirements, including having a negative Covid-19 test or proof of full vaccination.

Chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said on Monday that nightclubs and other such venues could be “potential super-spreading events” because of crowds in close contact.

A capacity crowd of 140,000 attended the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on Sunday – the largest crowd for a sporting event in the UK since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

There, all adults had to provide proof of full vaccination or be in possession of a negative test.

In Scotland, Rangers have been given permission to have 17,000 fans present at their Scottish Premiership opener against Livingston on 31 July.

Around the BBC iPlayer bannerAround the BBC iPlayer footer

- Advertisement -

Discover

Sponsor

Latest

Covid: Michael Gove alerted by NHS Test and Trace after Champions League tripon June 4, 2021 at 9:56 am

The cabinet office minister had recently returned from watching the Champions League final in Portugal.The cabinet office minister had recently returned from watching the...

Premier League leaders Chelsea brush aside flat Leicesteron November 20, 2021 at 2:40 pm

Premier League leaders Chelsea ruthlessly tighten their grip on top spot by punishing the failings of lacklustre Leicester.

Thousands flee homes and hotels on Rhodes as fires spreadon July 22, 2023 at 5:22 pm

Greece's deputy fire chief says the island's fires are the most difficult his service is now facing.Image source, ReutersBy Siobhan TomanBBC NewsThousands of people...

Joelinton: Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe unsure of picking striker after drink-driving chargeon January 13, 2023 at 11:09 am

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe says Joelinton's drink-driving charge came as a "shock" and he is unsure about picking the striker against Fulham on...

Nicola Sturgeon: The first minister’s conference speech fact-checkedon November 29, 2021 at 5:18 pm

Scotland's first minister delivered her keynote address at the SNP party conference.