Vaccine passports likely for Ashes

CRICKET fans may need vaccine passports to attend this summer’s Ashes as governments and authorities explore allowing crowds to attend the celebrated event.

If the regulations come in it will be the first sport to demand proof of health status.

Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley said his organisation was exploring the need for cricket fans to present passports, though the ultimate call would be made by governments.

“It is being raised, that’s something that is increasingly rising up the agenda and we will work with the venues and with the state governments, but I think those discussions are going to come over the coming months,” he said.

“At the moment everyone is concentrating on getting vaccinated as quickly as possible.

“We are working with jurisdictions around the country but I am confident we will have crowds, just look at England and look at vaccination rates, whether it is the Euros or Wimbledon or this current (Test) series against India played in front of full crowds.

“I would just encourage everyone to get vaccinated as quickly as possible but we remain confident and optimistic we will have crowds in the summer.”

Euro 2020 took place at 11 venues across Europe with different countries imposing different crowd restrictions. Proof of negative test was required in some, but those who had passport proof of double vaccine did not need to show proof of a test at Wembley.

England’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson allowed full crowds at sporting events from July following a successful vaccination program which began in July.

The latest figures show that 43.5 million (65 per cent) in the UK have received both vaccinations and 48.3 million have had the first with the rollout program well advanced.

In Australia just 7.9 million have received both doses (31 per cent) and 13.1 million the first with the government scrambling to borrow vaccines to boost rates.