Vaccine Passport Decisions Left To EFL Clubs To Decide
Following the lack of legislation from the Government requiring vaccine passports, EFL clubs are being left to use their own judgement on whether to require Covid certification for fans attending matches, with their season kicking off this weekend.
Although the UK Government have already announced that passports will be required for nightclub entry in England from the end of September, there has been no such decision whether to make them compulsory for some large-scale events such as football matches. As the 2021-22 EFL season kicks off this coming Friday, with Bournemouth hosting West Brom in the Championship, this means there will be no official guidance for EFL clubs before the competition starts, though it is understood the EFL is in continued dialogue with the Government over the issue of certification.
Capacity limits at sports venues was lifted on July 19th, after the Government removed almost all remaining legal restrictions related to coronavirus, but it will be up to local authorities whether EFL clubs are allowed to return immediately to full capacity this weekend.
Ahead of their Carabao Cup match against Huddersfield at Hillsborough on Sunday, Sheffield Wednesday published their take on the advice for fans attending.
“Supporters should note that at this moment in time, there is no requirement to provide COVID-19 passports or similar. We will communicate any change to this policy, based on Government guidance, should the need arise,” the club advice stated. “Everyone entering the stadium is advised to wear a face covering when not eating or drinking. This is not a regulation but we are adapting this advice with safety first paramount in our thinking.”
Premier League clubs will be taking differing approaches to this. Chelsea announced on Wednesday their intention to use certification for all men’s and women’s fixtures at Stamford Bridge and Kingsmeadow, but Manchester United currently do not aim to introduce it for Saturday’s friendly against Everton.
It is intended that top-flight matches will be played at near full capacity, apart for any seating near enough to the playing area to be classed as in the “red zone” of the stadium.
