Supporters heading back to stadiums told to go easy on the singing and shouting
Fans will be asked to avoid excessive singing and shouting and to wear face coverings at all times in a bid to help English Premier League clubs stage larger-scale test events in the near future.
It is understood the topflight clubs have signed off on new protocols ahead of fans returning to Premier League matches this weekend for the first time since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in March.
They include supporters wearing face coverings in all areas of the stadium and to be considerate of those around them when singing and shouting.
Premier League clubs are also understood to be ready to offer up their facilities to assist with the national coronavirus immunisation effort.
The Premier League proto cols on face coverings go beyond what is mandated by the Government. It is hoped by taking these steps, along with many other mitigations, it will put the Premier League's clubs in the best possible place to convince Government and the Sports Technology and Innovation Group (STIG) task force that it is ready to be involved in trials with greater capacities than those allowed by the tier system.
Currently no professional club is in tier one, where capacities are set at a maximum of 4,000. Half of Premier League clubs are in tier two, where capacities cannot go beyond 2,000, with the other half in tier three, where fans remain barred. But Government guidance does allow for specific approved pilot events to go beyond those limits.