THE RETURN of spectators to outdoor sporting events is set to come as a welcome relief to local clubs in the aftermath of the national lockdown in England, which ends a week on Wednesday, December 2.
In tonight’s televised update by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, it is expected that as many as 4,000 fans are to be permitted to events in the lowest-risk areas of the country – ranked in tier one – with 2,000 people allowed entry in towns and cities that fall in tier two.
There will be no members of the public permitted for events taking place in tier three however, which rank as the areas where cases of COVID-19 are most prevalent.
While the move will be subject to a vote by MPs this week, it will be a major boost to grassroots sport and clubs – who have been out of action since the lockdown began on November 5.
The imminent announcement will also apply to clubs considered to play at an ‘elite’ level.
While revisions to the three-tier system are set to be explained in detail by the Prime Minister at 7pm, it is also expected that gyms and leisure centres will also be allowed to reopen, while grassroots and youth sports can resume.
