Sport fans claim that there weren’t any real screenings of vaccination status, or negative lateral flow testing. This is despite the mandatory Covid passes being in force by today’s Government.
Hundreds of spectators have been descending upon the nations’ sporting venues in their droves tonight to watch Arsenal play West Ham at London’s Emirates stadium and Crystal Palace face Southampton at Selhurst Park Stadium, in Croydon.
Long queues were also seen snaking around The American Express Community Stadium in Brighton as fans arrived for the Brighton & Hove Albion v Wolverhampton Wanderers football game.
However, some sports fans claim that their Covid passes were not checked at all despite the crackdown.
Tonight’s large gatherings are the result of mandatory Covid passes being approved by MPs At sporting events that have more than 10,000 spectators, ‘Plan B’ guidelines will be followed to address the increase in Omicron-related coronavirus cases.
The new regulations require adults living in England to show that they have been fully jabbed and have not had a negative Covid test, before they can be allowed to attend large gatherings.
The booster program will allow for two doses of vaccine to be considered fully-vaccinated. However, this information will not be changed.
It is also possible to get a positive PCR test or rapid lateral flow testing, which will satisfy the requirement.
Venues could be fined up to £10,000 for failing to check passes, while the faking of a pass could also attract the same penalty.
Sporting enthusiasts gathered at Selhurst Park Stadium this evening to view Crystal Palace take on Southampton
Supporters show their Covid passes to a steward as they arrive to watch Brighton & Hove Albion v Wolverhampton Wanderers at The American Express Community Stadium
Sport fans claim that there were no real screenings for their vaccine status, or any negative lateral flow tests. The mandatory Covid pass was introduced by the government today.
As people present their Covid passes, queues form in front of The American Express Community Stadium (Brighton).
Crystal Palace supporters wear masks before tonight’s Premier League match at Selhurst Park, London.
Passports are valid for all indoor and outdoor spaces with at least 500 persons, as well as any venues hosting more than 10,000 guests.
Many people were seen coming to Selhurst Park in south London, to catch Crystal Palace Vs Southampton earlier tonight.
As they arrived at the Emirates Stadium to watch the Premier League match between Arsenal & West Ham United, scores of fans were seen carrying their Covid cards on their smartphones.
Some fans claimed that their passes had not been checked and one even said they got in the stadium in under a minute.
One fan said: “Just needed to wave a Covid Pass at The Ems tonight; there was no real QR code check; it is something at the very least.”
One more: ‘No Covid Pass Check.
An additional comment was made: ‘Good work with the nonexistent Covid pass checks.
One spectator added: “So much to Plan B. Passing the Covid screening was not required. The stadium was opened in less than one minute, and I am the first person to enter it.
After nearly 100 Tory MPs voted against the introduction of mandatory passes, the scenes were captured.
Boris Johnson revealed the Omicron-related rules in the context of the government’s plan B to stop the Omicron variant spreading.
Speaking on the decision the Prime Minister said: ‘We will also make the NHS Covid pass mandatory for entry into nightclubs and venues where large crowds gather, including unseated indoor venues with more than 500 people, unseated outdoor venues with more than 4,000 people and any venue with more than 10,000 people.
“The NHS Covid Pass can be still obtained by taking two doses of a Covid vaccine, but this will be reviewed as boosters become available.
“And, having received clinical advice from Omicron since its emergence, a negative flow test will also suffice.
As we had in Plan B we are giving businesses notice. So this policy will take effect in one week. It will help to maintain these events and venues at full capacity as well as give everyone attending them the confidence that their actions have been responsible to reduce risk.
While Premier League clubs may have conducted voluntary checks of Covid passes during this season’s Premier League, the highest flight stressed that such inspections were required by law. Anyone who fails to comply with these requirements will be denied entry into the stadium.
For six months, the Premier League worked hard to get ready for Covid-19. It is important that fans are allowed to watch games and keep them in their stadiums. Officials acknowledge the challenges but are confident that everything is in place to protect players, staff, and fans.
To ensure that the virus isn’t spreading, the league and its clubs will work closely with the local health authorities.
To reduce spread, the Premier League has also reinstated emergency measures that were implemented last season. These include social distancing, restricting access to specific areas and treatments as well as mask-wearing.
Premier League clubs test their players nine times a weeks, including a lateral flow and two PCR.
Supporters in stadiums larger than 10,000 capacity must adhere to Plan B. Additionally, supporters are required to wear masks indoors and stadium stewards will enforce these rules.
A few football fans claimed that Covid passes had been ‘barely checked’ by staff before the game tonight.
Lines begin to form outside The American Express Community Stadium tonight as fans arrive for the Wolverhampton Wanderers v Brighton & Hove Albion match
Prior to the Premier League match between Crystal Palace, Southampton at Selhurst Park, the fans have to go through the Covid-19 checkpoint.
Football fans start arriving at Emirates Stadium to see Arsenal v West Ham United. Stewards perform checks
As he arrives at the Crystal Palace and Southampton games, a man displays his Covid card on his smartphone to a steward.
As they approach Selhurst Park for Crystal Palace Vs Southampton, the football players show their passes via their smartphones
As they approach Selhurst Park Stadium, football fans grab their smartphones.
After the implementation of the plan B by the Government, a man displays his Covid card to a Selhurst Park Stadium steward.
Fans arrived at The Emirates Stadium, London to watch the Arsenal and West Ham games. Long lines could be seen running around The Emirates Stadium.
As people arrive at Selhurst Park Stadium to watch the Crystal Palace match against Southampton, they show their passes.
Some football enthusiasts are seen wearing face masks while attending the Crystal Palace v Southampton match at Selhurst Park
Fans shows their ID and Covid passports upon arrival at the Premier League match at AMEX Stadium in Brighton today
Covid-19 guidance signs were seen in the foyer before the Premier League match at AMEX Stadium, Brighton.
To indicate the areas where masks must be worn, signs will be posted on grounds. However, food and beverage concessions will still be available. While masks aren’t required in stadium bowls, they can be encouraged.
Yesterday, 369 of the country’s MPs supported the introduction of Covid passes. These are also known as vaccine passports. The majority support is 243.
The division list however showed that 96 Conservative MPs had voted against.
Mark Harper, Forest of Dean MP, urged members of parliament to reject the proposal to allow vaccine passes to be used at venues and events. He said it would send a clear signal to the government to “rethink its approach”.
Former chief whip stated that they are limited in their ability to propose ideas, however this was the case everywhere they were introduced. The venues to which they can be applied have expanded every time they were introduced.
“Anyone thinking they will stick with what’s on the current order paper is lying,”
Steve Brine, a fellow Conservative MP added that he would not be supporting the vaccination passport. It seems to cross a Rubicon. It seems like Italy started in this manner. They said it was about providing lateral flow testing, and it is expected to move quickly.
Former Conservative minister, Dame Andrea Leadsom stated that the regulations are a slippery slope and she did not wish to fall. She also told MPs that “our Covid measures continue to harm our citizens.”
The Commons were informed by Dr Luke Evans that he couldn’t support Covid passes and expressed concern about the slippery slope. How will businesses and society interact with each other in the future, or how can infections be spread in future years or months?
Sajid Javid, Health Secretary to MPs said that lateral flow tests are an option and that he would not endorse a vaccine-only approach.
In the meantime, the NHS Covid Pass App went offline for eight hours yesterday night while the NHS provided ‘essential updates.
For those who wish to travel in the morning between 10pm-6am, they were asked to save their evidence of a negative outcome.
The Department of Health stated that the interruption to the digital services was part of planned maintenance.
Official Twitter account of the NHS stated that “The NHS COVID Pass” will not be available from 10 PM this evening to 6 AM tomorrow morning in order to make some updates.
“If you are traveling with your Pass during these times, be sure to download a copy of it or keep it in your Apple Wallet.
Selhurst Park Stadium attracts thousands of football fans to witness Crystal Palace play Southampton tonight
As they get ready to witness Crystal Palace’s match against Southampton, crowds gather tonight at Selhurst Park Stadium
South London football fans are ready to display their Covid cards at the Crystal Palace Vs Southampton match at Selhurst Park
Today, the government’s plan B rules are in force. Football fans can show off their passes to the stewards.
Venues could be fined up to £10,000 for failing to check passes, while the faking of a pass could also attract the same penalty
The booster program will keep the review of two vaccine doses in mind. Two vaccination doses are considered fully-vaccinated. The requirement also allows for exemption of vaccination if there is a negative PCR, rapid lateral flow, or other test.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), however, stated that the order of lateral flow tests was temporarily suspended due to ‘exceptionally large demand’.
The website stated that the temporary pause in availability was temporary, and it is available again every day. People are encouraged to return to the site from Tuesday.
Night-time bosses in the night industry blasted the recent introduction of Covid passes at nightclubs and late night dancing venues. They called for greater support for the measures, which they claim ‘jeopardise the survival’.
Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), which expressed disappointment in regulations that were voted into law, said they had “dampened trade” by 30% in Scotland and 26% in Wales.
Sacha Lord is the co-founder and host of Warehouse Project, a series dance-based nightclub nights. She said that the Warehouse Project’s ‘rug was pulled from under us’.
Rekom, a nightclub operator, was also disappointed, but not surprised, by the Covid passes. He claims that this new measure will have no impact on transmission rates.
Jeremy Joseph of G-A-Y in London said he is not against passing but added that it was impossible to have one rule and one thing for all venues.