Not every Premier League and Championship football fan is expected to have their Covid vaccination and test status checked at matches, despite the Government’s introduction of Plan B next week.
These measures are designed to reduce the spread Omicron coronavirus variant. Sports fans will need to provide proof of immunization or pass a negative lateral flow testing at all stadiums over 10,000 capacity starting Wednesday.
However SportsmailSome matches may offer the possibility to check out samples from supporters. This could increase risks for fans who are not careful enough.
If you are going to a Premier League match next week, make sure that your Covid status is checked before entering the stadium.
Guidance to be published next week looks set to demand a visual check of each person’s Covid status, but allowances could be made on safety grounds.
The decision on how many people to test will be ‘risk based’ and the exact process is likely to be agreed with local Safety Advisory Groups around each match. Some clubs will insist that all people are tested, while others might only look at a few.
Spot checks may be required if there are any crushes at stadiums where the virus can spread or queues in residential areas that snake around old-fashioned, tight grounds.
A significant number of spectators are likely to be checked at all grounds. Supporters who try to sneak in without the proper paperwork run the risk of being denied entry. We hope this encourages compliance.
Javier Manquillo from Newcastle United has his Covid status examined at St James’ Park
Government Covid tested the effects of spot checks earlier this year.
In anticipation of being mandated, some top-flight clubs have begun to check Covid status with spot inspections and complete inspections.
If supporters are unable or unwilling to prove their vaccination status, they will be asked to produce proof of that next time they visit the stadium.
Fans will see a marked change next week when they go to matches. There are four Premier League matches on next Wednesday and many more during the weekend of December 18/19.
‘From Wednesday it becomes the law of the land and I have no doubt that any fan without the right paperwork will not get in,’ said one top flight source.
Up to now, vaccination status checks were conducted at matches but have not been enforced by law.
‘Checks will be more visible and there will be much stronger communication with supporters before matches, but it may look different from venue to venue.
‘It will be clear that if you have not done this [vaccination or obtained a negative lateral flow test] you will not get in.’
The clubs will work hard to implement the new guidelines effectively, so that matches are safe for fans.
As officials were working on possible ‘Plan C’ measures to counter Omicron’s increased ability to transmit disease from one person to another, the UK saw 50,867 cases of Covid-19 increase and another 148 deaths.
This could see the reintroduction of rules requiring hospitality venues to collect the contact details of all customers.
Like other sports like football, they have worked hard to get the government’s confidence in their ability and safety to host events. Although clubs are still recovering from large losses due to months of no fans, they won’t want to compromise that trust now.
In addition, failure to comply properly could place a club’s safety certificate, which is needed to stage events, at risk.
Thursday saw the official launch of Plan B’s first component, which included the mandatory use of facemasks indoors such as churches and cinemas.
A new guidance for work from home will go into effect on Monday. MPs are scheduled to vote next week on vaccination passports for large venues and nightclubs.
Boris Johnson stated Wednesday that the ministers hope these measures will suffice to slow the Omicron variant’s spread while booster jabs continue to be rolled out
On Monday, the draft regulations will be presented to Parliament.
You will need to upload the NHS app to prove your vaccination. The results from negative lateral flow tests must also be uploaded to the website.