BORIS Johnson has announced sports fans will not be allowed to return to live events over fears of a coronavirus second wave.
A rise in cases across the UK has seen the Government pull the handbrake on the easing of lockdown just 24 hours before a new round of measures were set to be introduced.
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Boris Johnson spoke today at a Downing Street press conferenceCredit: PA:Press Association
Premier League grounds and other sports stadiums are set to remain emptyCredit: PA:Press Association
New figures show 35,700 Brits are currently infected with coronavirus following a rise in cases in recent weeks.
There were around 0.78 new Covid-19 infections for every 10,000 people in England last week – equal to around 4,200 new cases per day.
This is up from an estimated 2,800 new cases a day the previous week.
The PM had earlier warned of a second wave of Covid-19 spreading across Europe as holidaymakers were told to self-isolate for 10 days after returning from Spain.
This week’s Surrey v Middlesex cricket match at the Oval had seen 1,000 spectators take to the stands in an early pilot of holding live sports events with social distancing.
The World Snooker Championship started on Friday with fans in attendance, with further spectators due for the rest of the 17-day event.
Around 5,000 racegoers had been due to attend the Glorious Goodwood Festival on Saturday.
It had been hoped Community Shield match between Liverpool and the winners of the FA Cup on August 29 would be a test for fans to be able to return to football stadiums ahead of the new Premier League season.
But speaking at a Downing Street press conference today, the PM said such trials “must pause” as Britain looks to prevent a second wave.
He said: “Indoor performances will not resume, pilots of larger gatherings in sports venues and conference centres will not take place, and wedding receptions of up to 30 people will not be permitted.”
Socially-distanced fans were allowed at The Oval this weekCredit: AFP or licensors
The Premier League was hopeful fans would be able to take their seats in bigger numbers by October but the plans now appear to be on hold.
The final eight rounds of this season’s Premier League were played behind closed doors.
Every match has been available to watch live to make up for fans being banned from entering grounds.
Players were made respect strict guidelines to reduce the risk of any contamination, including regular testing and not sharing tunnels in the moments before kick-off.
From August 1, staff were set to be told to return to workplaces unless they couldn’t work from home.
Casinos, bowling alleys and skating rinks were also to be allowed to reopen and indoor gigs were also set to resume.
Certain beauty treatments involving close contact such as make-up application and eyebrow threading were also set to return.
Boris Johnson tells Brits to wear face masks in cinemas as rules extended amid fears of coronavirus second wave
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
