Doncaster Rovers: How tightened social distancing regulations will impact plans for fans returning to stadiums

The government will keep plans for supporters to return to stadiums ‘under review’ after announcing a tightening of social distancing regulations following a rise in Covid-19 cases.
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From Monday, there will be a ban on gatherings of more than six people across the country, which has thrown into serious doubt the aspiration of allowing fans into grounds from next month.

But the Department for Digital, Media, Culture and Sport says the situation will be monitored before a final decision is taken later this month.

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Clubs such as Doncaster Rovers have been preparing for the return of supporters in reduced numbers from October 1 onwards, which has included implementing strict social distancing protocols both inside stadiums and in the surrounding areas.

Doncaster Rovers fansDoncaster Rovers fans
Doncaster Rovers fans

Helping iron out procedures have been a series of pilot events held over the last few weeks. Two and a half thousands fans were permitted to attend a friendly between Brighton and Hove Albion and Chelsea while Cambridge United’s EFL Trophy clash with Fulham U21s was opened up to 1,000 fans.

Cambridge’s Abbey Stadium will also be opened up for Saturday’s League Two clash with Carlisle United, with pilot events in other sports also taking place this weekend.

The government have confirmed that pilot events will now be limited to 1,000 spectators as they push on with trials but on a more restricted basis.

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It comes after an 11th hour u-turn on the decision to allow punters into Doncaster Racecourse for the St Leger Festival this week.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “At the present time we must also I am afraid revise plans to pilot larger audiences in venues later this month and review our intention to return audiences to stadiums and conference centres from October 1.

“But that doesn’t mean we are going to scrap the programme entirely, we are just going to have to review it and abridge it.”

Culture secretary Oliver Dowden added: “We know fans and audiences are eager to return, and jobs depend on this too, so work continues around the clock on the moonshot project with the ambition of having audiences back much closer to normal by Christmas, if safe to do so.”

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