Fortress Crucible welcomes back spectators, who all pass the test

Do not cough. Snooker’s long-held unwritten rule took on considerable new meaning at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre as sport welcomed spectators for the first time this year.

This World Snooker Championship is the first testing ground of the Government’s “Event Research Programme” that will shape our return to mass gatherings. Success will pave the way for packed out stadiums later this year; failure is likely to mean doors remain shut.

Even stepping foot inside the venue was some undertaking – a process that began 24 hours before the tournament, with the requirement for everyone to pass a coronavirus lateral flow test prior to travelling.

Pre and post-event PCR tests are also required. A military-style operation was in process outside the arena with enough checkpoints, two-metre markers and hand sanitiser to provide Chris Whitty with a very happy 55th birthday next week.

There really is no outsmarting coronavirus if it can penetrate this fortress.

“You’re part of our experiment,” the pre-show host excitedly told the 300 or so paying punters.

Numbers are capped at one third of the Crucible’s capacity for the opening stages of the tournament, increasing to a full house with no social distancing for the final on May 2.

Ronnie O’Sullivan, the reigning champion, took on Mark Joyce in the first match of the tournament yesterday, which began after spectators had been politely informed that their traditional whooping and cheering to greet the players would not be allowed.

This, in fact, had little to do with coronavirus protocol, but was a mark of respect for the Duke of Edinburgh.