Carlisle United Reduce Their Capacity In Response To ‘Plan B’
EFL club Carlisle United have announced that fans will not need to provide Covid certification to enter their Brunton Park stadium after reducing the capacity to 9,999, in order to reduce extra incurred costs and delays for fans entering the stadia due to covid check requirements.
On Tuesday, MPs passed the use of Covid passes for some venues in England from Wednesday, including nightclubs and any venue with more than 10,000 people. League Two side Carlisle's Brunton Park ground has a total capacity of 17,949 – though they haven't had an attendance higher than 8,000 so far this season – but the club have announced they will reduce the total capacity so Covid certification won't be required. The revised 9,999 capacity – below the 10,000 threshold – means match-going fans won't need to prove their Covid status. The move sees Brunton Park operate with a total seating capacity of 6,000 and a terraced standing capacity of 3,999.
The club advised if anything changes fans will be informed as soon as possible. A club statement confirmed the following:
“We plan to operate with a revised capacity under the ‘Plan-B’ requirements, as follows: Total capacity 9,999, Standing capacity 3,999, Seated capacity 6,000. This means we do not expect attendance to make mandatory certification applicable. At this point, all areas (except Waterworks North End) are planned to remain open. At these levels of expected attendance there will be no mandatory Covid certification required at Brunton Park under ‘Plan-B’. There will be no requirement to show vaccination status or a recent negative test to enter the stadium and come to games. Fans should be aware, the limit on terrace places at 3,999 means tickets demand could outstrip supply. Fans wishing to stand are advised to buy in advance.
“Supporters will not be required to wear a face covering when located in their seat, or on the terrace, in the stadium bowl. All supporters aged 11 and over will be legally required to wear a face covering when located in all indoor areas of the stadium, other than when eating or drinking, or where exempt. Mandatory face-coverings for indoor settings do not extend to hospitality and bar settings in the club. Hence face coverings in Foxy’s, the hospitality boxes, lounges, and the west stand bars are not mandatory. Face coverings are required in the East Stand concourse and all other inside areas, such as toilets and entry and exit vomitories. Face coverings are strongly recommended when brushing past others or moving in or out and around the stadium outside (like queuing to get in). We will continue to operate our Social distanced area in Section 8 of the Pioneer East stand where fans can sit with more space and face-coverings are mandatory while in your seat.”
Many more clubs in a similar situation could well follow suit, as the extra costs of staffing, stewarding and checking Covid statuses cannot simply be absorbed by many league clubs after suffering considerable financial difficulties over the last two years with coronavirus restrictions in place.
