Doncaster Knights bolster their defence against Covid-19

The installation of the new Gateway Personal Protection Tunnel (PPT) at the entrance to Castle Park would suggest that the club is optimistic about the 2020/21 season still going ahead.

The Championship would ordinarily have started this month but Knights are yet to return to pre-season training and, after second tier clubs agreed that playing behind-closed-doors was not viable, the fate of this season appears to hinge on government talks over whether to let fans into sports stadia.

A press release from Gateway PPT outlined: “Players and staff alike will be encouraged to walk through the Gateway PPT when they arrive for training and matches to help prevent the spread of Covid-19. The tunnel is also being used by the players’ families so they can safely watch the games live and visit the players at work.

“The hope is that the sanitisation tunnels will play a major part in getting fans safely back into the stadium to support the Knights in person, when restrictions are eased and in line with Government advice.

“The Gateway PPT works by sanitising people who walk through it – a little like an airport scanner – beginning with a thermo imaging camera to take temperatures and then using controlled, odourless, dry-misting of a treated water-based solution to disable bacteria and viruses. The process takes 3-5 seconds and is completely safe to use.

“The measure provides an additional line of defence and helps to reduce transmission of Covid-19. It will complement existing safety measures implemented by the club.”

Christian Pearce, commercial director of Gateway PPT, said: “The Gateway PPT provides Doncaster Knights’ players, staff members and families with the peace of mind that they are doing everything they can to protect themselves and others against Covid-19.

“We are hopeful that in the not so distant future the Gateway PPT will be used by clubs across the league to welcome fans back to watch their favourite team live.”

Knights general manager Neil Holmes said: “The safety of our staff, supporters and customers is of utmost importance to us. We have now welcomed our mini/junior and amateur sections back to Castle Park and hope to be able to welcome supporters back to watch the Knights soon.

“The sanitisation tunnel highlights our commitment to our stakeholders and is a key part of the extensive safety measures we are taking to safeguard all who visit Castle Park.”