Warning over failure to test fans gathering for Euros
●Leading health expert fears Covid risk at fans zone
One of Scotland’s leading health experts has raised concerns about a lack of Covid testing at the planned Euro 2020 fanzone in Glasgow.
The Scottish government has faced mounting calls from public health experts for the thousands of people who will gather to watch games in Glasgow from Friday to be tested for the virus. But there are still no plans for this measure to be put in place, a spokesperson said yesterday, warning that queues of people waiting to be tested may increase transmission of the virus.
It comes after Linda Bauld, professor of public health at Edinburgh University, said she was “worried” about the risks of the fanzone, and suggested it should be run on the same basis as recent test events in England where a negative test was needed before entry.
Her comments follow those of Dr Christine Tait-burkard, an expert in infectious diseases also at Edinburgh University, who last week labelled the plans “a risk”, and called for fans to be tested.
Glasgow will host the Euros from Friday, with up to 6,000 football fans each day watching games on big screens in fanzones at Glasgow
Green, and 12,000 fans at Hampden Park for four matches.
Prof Bauld said the event plans were risky, with alcohol to be allowed and no measures to test fans.
She told the BBC Sunday Show: “I completely understand the importance of the Euros, let's face it, everybody wants to celebrate, and this is a fantastic opportunity for Scotland.
“Most of this event is outdoors, most of it is seated. I've had a good look at the website and the details, and you can see that it would be managed.
“But the reason the beer garden is a concern obviously is alcohol. If there’s lots of people watching matches people are cheering and hugging and embracing... even if they’re outside, there are risks.
“My personal view is I would have appreciated if it might have been a bit like the events research programme, the festival in England, in Liverpool, where people had to demonstrate a negative test before they went in. But it doesn't sound like that's been set up, so the decision will be taken this week, but it is not without its risks and that is absolutely the case.”
The Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) has also criticised the fanzones, which it argues contradict the cautious approach to easing of restrictions for pubs and restaurants, and will draw trade away from struggling businesses.
The Scottish Government said yesterday that plans may change ahead of the events if concerns grow over Covid-19.
“Decisions about testing and other arrangements at the fanzone are taken jointly by the Scottish Government, Glasgow Life, Public Health Scotland and other partners,” a spokesperson said.
“Mass testing of people on arrival at the fanzone is not feasible and the queues which this would cause could, counter-productively, present a possible Covid risk.
“We are of course encouraging everyone attending the fanzone to take up the offer of twice weekly rapid lateral flow testing.”
They added: “If there are concerns about the safe delivery of fan zone due to prevalence of the virus then it may be necessary to review and modify these plans.”
The warning came amid concerns about a rise in cases of the ‘Delta’ varient, with ministers admitting they are “absolutely open” to delaying the date for the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, set for June 21 in England.
While restrictions easing has already been delayed in Scotland over the spread of this variant, first identified in India, a similar move has not yet been made south of the Border.
Mr Hancock also said he “would not rule out” measures such as wearing face coverings in public settings and working from home where possible continuing in the long term.
Asked if the June 21 date may be delayed if Covid figures worsen in the UK, Mr Hancock told the BBC’S Andrew Marr: “We are absolutely open to doing that if that’s what needs to happen.
“We said in the road map that June 21 is the date by which we would not take Step 4 before that date and that we would look at the data.
“That is exactly what we are doing, so the road map was set up in order to be able to take these sort of changes into account.”
The Delta variant has made decisions over whether or not to reduce restrictions “more difficult”, Mr Hancock said, as he confirmed latest scientific findings that this variant is 40 per cent more transmissible than the strain first identified in Kent.
The Delta variant has become dominant in Scotland, making up around 75 per cent of new cases.
Nicola Sturgeon has delayed the planned move to level one restrictions in 14 council areas in light of the variant’s spread.
The First Minister warned on Friday that Scotland is at a “critical juncture” in terms of the virus, as she reported 992 new cases, the highest daily total since mid February.
Under the current plan, England is set to remove “all legal limits on social contact” on June 21.
Nightclubs and music venues will be allowed to open, and large events can resume without crowd limits.
Prof Stephen Reicher of St Andrews University warned on Saturday that it would be “foolish” and a “major risk” for England to continue with the June 21 unlocking as planned.
One doctor, meanwhile, said that easing coronavirus restrictions too soon will be a "recipe for disaster". "Everyone in the NHS at the moment is kind of terrified," Dr Megan Smith told the Press Association.
Dr Smith, who is also legal and policy officer for campaign group Everydoctor, said the NHS is under pressure dealing with issues from the first waves of the pandemic, and could not cope with even a small spike in Covid patients.
"Now patients have presented and a lot of them are presenting in a worse state. We've heard of hospitals effectively closing their waiting lists, which is unheard of.
"Without question, there should be a pause. And in my view, there should be a look at whether there needs to be backtracking and have more restrictions in place.
"Obviously that is a deeply unpopular thing to say," she added.