Government may hold off on stadium crowds
PM SIGNALS REVIEW OF PLANS TO ALLOW FANS AT EVENTS
PLANS to let football fans return to stadiums from October 1 will be “reviewed”, Boris Johnson has announced.
Mr Johnson said the Government will re-examine plans to allow crowds to return to football stadiums and other sporting venues.
And a late-night curfew could be imposed on takeaways and other venues in areas with high Covid-19 infection rates, as part of the effort to cut the spread of the virus.
The Prime Minister announced in July that spectators would be able to attend live sporting events in person from October.
But speaking yesterday at a Downing Street press conference, Mr Johnson said: “At the present time we must also I’m afraid revise plans to pilot larger audiences in venues later this month, and review our intention to return audiences to stadiums and conference centres from October 1.
“That doesn’t mean we are going to scrap the programme entirely. We just have to review it and abridge it.”
The Culture Secretary would make a further announcement on the issue, he said.
The Government announced earlier in the week that premises in Bolton would be ordered to close at 10pm, and Mr Johnson said a similar policy will be introduced in other areas with high infection rates.
He said: “We will also restrict the opening hours of premises, initially in some local areas.”
Bolton has the highest rate of Covid-19 infections in the country. North East authorities including
Sunderland and South Tyneside have seen a major increase in cases over seven days.
Their situation will be discussed at the weekly “gold command” meeting chaired by Health Secretary Matt
Hancock today. Mr Johnson also set out new rules coming into force on Monday, which limit the number of people who can meet either indoors or outdoors to six.
The aim is to simplify the rules so they are easier to understand, and for police to enforce.
He set out what he called the “rule of six”, warning it would be enforced by police.
Mr Johnson said: “Anyone break
ing the rules risks being dispersed, fined and possibly arrested.”
There are a few exceptions, such as places of worship and hospitality venues, where more than six people will be allowed.
However, groups within the venue should still be limited to six people. Workplaces and schools are also exempt.
It will become mandatory for businesses such as pubs and restaurants to collect names and contact details for the customers, which they must retain for 21 days.
At the moment there is guidance encouraging them to do this.
Councils will appoint “Covid-secure marshalls” to ensure venues are obeying rules.
Mr Johnson also urged people not to apply for coronavirus tests unless they had symptoms.
Government scientists think that the UK could face a “difficult period” for the next six months. the
They always expected an increase in cases in autumn and winter, partly because people are more likely to be indoors with windows closed, allowing the virus to spread, and because of students returning to university.
But the current upsurge in cases, while the weather is still relatively good, has added to concern. They believe the rate of reproduction of the virus, known as “R”, is above 1.
This means the virus is spreading exponentially, and the Government’s priority has been to keep R below 1. The virus is spreading among people aged 17 to 29, scientists say. The positive news is that incidence rates remain flat among the elderly, who are most likely to become seriously ill or die if they become infected.
However, scientists say the pattern in other countries has been that an increase in cases among the young leads to infections of older people too.
Anyone breaking the rules risks being dispersed, fined and possibly arrested
PM Boris Johnson