No return date for City and Rovers fans

BRISTOL City and Bristol Rovers fans will need to remain patient as they await the green light to be able to return to watch matches at Ashton Gate and the Memorial Stadium.

The UK Government announced its new tiers yesterday morning - with Bristol placed in Tier 3 - meaning that under the new legislation residents cannot attend public events.

The tier system is due to be reviewed again on December 16 at the earliest - and that will be done fortnightly - but whether Bristol’s tier changes will depend on the following, as set out in the Government’s winter plan to contain the spread of Covid-19.

The case rate in all age group (particularly over-60s)

The rate that cases are rising and falling

The positivity rate

The pressures on the NHS

The announcement was made via Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who also explained that Manchester too would be in Tier 3, meaning that fans cannot attend games there either.

There was positive news among the update however: coronavirus cases are down by 19 per cent across the UK.

“I know how difficult this has been - especially for those areas that have been in restrictions for so long.,” said Hancock to the House of Commons.

“The national measures have successfully turned the curve and begun to ease pressure on the NHS.

“Cases are down 19 per cent from a week ago, and daily hospital admissions have fallen seven per cent in the last week.

“It is vital we safeguard the gains we have made,” he added.

“In a significant number of areas, they need to be in Tier 3 to bring case rates down.”

Bristol was specifically mentioned as a region where cases have risen sharply recently.