Supporters
will be permitted to attend events in stadiums in England when the national
lockdown ends on December 2, says Boris Johnson.
The decision will provide a major boost to governing bodies, which have been
forced to postpone events or hold them behind closed doors during the
coronavirus pandemic, as well as individual clubs that have been trying to
survive without revenue from ticket sales.
Outdoors stadiums in tier 1 areas - deemed to be medium risk by the
Government - will be allowed to hold up to 4,000 socially-distanced fans or
half of their maximum capacity, depending on which is fewer.
Outdoor stadiums in tier 2 areas - viewed to be high risk - can welcome up
to 2,000 spectators or half of their maximum capacity, depending on which is
fewer.
Socially distanced fans watch from the stands during a 'pilot event'
football match between Brighton and Chelsea1:19
But both indoor and outdoors stadiums in tier 3 areas - seen as very high
risk - will have to continue to hold events behind closed doors.
The Prime Minister warned, however, the Government's coronavirus tier system
will be strengthened when the national lockdown ends on December 2, meaning
more areas will fall into higher tiers than previously.
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.
A stadium worker wearing a face mask sits amid empty spectator seats during
the Spanish League football match between Sevilla FC and Real Betis at the
Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium in Seville on June 11, 2020. 3:13
"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."
A statement from the English Football League (EFL) welcomed the news and
added: "Whilst today's news is subject to regional restrictions, it is an
important step in achieving a return to normal, alongside it being crucial
to addressing the significant revenue gap left by a lack of spectators and
other revenue streams as a result of the pandemic.
"Having worked closely in developing the appropriate safety guidance
alongside undertaking a series of pilot events hosting up to 1,000
spectators in September, EFL clubs have already demonstrated that they are
well positioned to deliver the safe return of fans.
"Exit analysis shows that those who attended pilot fixtures felt
overwhelmingly safe and adhered to the necessary protocols and the EFL will
continue its work with clubs to ensure that they have the most up to-date
safety procedures in place to welcome supporters back as soon as the
relevant restrictions are lifted."
The Government's announcement was also greeted positively by Premiership
Rugby chief executive Darren Childs, who said: "Today's announcement is
another welcome boost for Premiership Rugby clubs and the wider sports
sector.
"Our clubs have proved that, when it is safe to do so, they can bring fans
back safely, with very successful pilot events at Harlequins and Gloucester.
"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."
The Lawn Tennis Association also responded, saying: "We argued for more
tennis to be permitted indoors across the tiers and it's good news that
despite certain restrictions, the Government has listened to the arguments
we put forward.
"More people will be able to enjoy the mental and physical health benefits
of tennis this winter, but we will continue to engage with Government as we
know this remains a very challenging time for indoor centres and the coaches
and officials who depend on them over the winter."
Outdoor grassroots sport to resume from
December 2
Outdoor grassroots sport will be allowed to resume in England when the
national lockdown ends.
Grassroots football will be suspended until December 2 at the earliest0:40
Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed the news in a virtual statement to
the House of Commons on Monday afternoon, outlining plans for a relaxation
of restrictions from December 2.
Outdoor sport for all ages will be permitted, even in areas most affected by
the Government's Covid-19 tier system.
This will include golf courses, tennis courts and football clubs - and gyms
will also be able to re-open.
Grassroots and amateur sport has been suspended since November 5.
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