How UK Government’s shift to Plan B will affect Bristol clubs as both set to need COVID-19 passports

The growing number of cases of the Omicron variant means the UK Government have brought in measures to help minimise the spread
Fans won’t want a return to empty stands after a season-and-a-half without them. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)Fans won’t want a return to empty stands after a season-and-a-half without them. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Fans won’t want a return to empty stands after a season-and-a-half without them. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Prime Minister Boris Johnson yesterday announced that football fans in England will have to provide their vaccination status to gain entry to stadiums.

Venues that have more than 10,000 spectators will have to put in measures such as checking whether a spectator is double jabbed or has provided a negative lateral flow test.

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It means for fans of Bristol City and Rovers, they’ll need either one of those when attending home and away matches.

How does it effect both clubs?

The rules apply to outdoor unseated venues of more than 4,000 capacity, or any stadia that exceed 10,000.

Bristol City’s stadium capacity is 27,000 and this season has returned an average of 18,622 spectators.

The Memorial Stadium meanwhile is 12,300 and that has been half full this year with Rovers boasting 6731 fans this campaign.

When will this come into effect?

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Next Wednesday is when this will affect football clubs though they will have to prepare first.

The first game in which the match day experience will be a bit different is Bristol City’s home match with Huddersfield Town on Saturday 18 December.

What has been said by either club?

Mark Kelly, the managing director for Ashton Gate, is responsible for the maintenance of Ashton Gate, the home stadium of Bristol City and Bristol Bears.

He appeared on the James Hanson show on BBC Radio Bristol earlier this morning and backed the proposals.

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“We’ve been prepared for this,” Kelly said. “We were looking at this and how we were going to operate from the start of the season.

Wales have been doing it now for a number of months.

“It means another layer to the matchday operations to ensure supporters can come in and watch their team play.

“This is a better alternative to another lockdown or not allowing fans to come to the stadium. Nobody wants to return to those days of empty stadiums. We’re ready for it, we’ll go through the fine details from the announcement and we’ll crack on as ever.”

A Brighton & Hove Albion shows his COVID-19 passport to a steward. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)A Brighton & Hove Albion shows his COVID-19 passport to a steward. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
A Brighton & Hove Albion shows his COVID-19 passport to a steward. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)

What could a match day look like?

When walking up to the turnstiles of the stadium, you’ll be asked to show your COVID passport or proof of a negative lateral flow test by a steward.

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Bristol City have already been conducting stringent security checks over the last month after the recent terror-attack in Liverpool.

Mark Kelly, managing director of Ashton Gate, has suggested that there could be staggered entry times, however dialogue will be made with supporters.

The Principality Stadium in Wales adopted this approach when hosting their recent Autumn International series.

Fans could be advised to wear masks in the lower concourse unless eating or drinking, though plans will be confirmed earlier next week.

Who has done this already?

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Both Scotland and Wales have used these measures for the last two months, so clubs like Cardiff City, Newport County and Swansea City could help the Bristol clubs in their match day operations.

How do I apply for a vaccine passport in England?

People living in England who travel to Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, where vaccine passports are required, can download their own personal NHS COVID Pass via the NHS App or the online NHS COVID Pass service.

To begin the process, you can access the ‘Getting a digital NHS COVID Pass’ and start your application now in preparation for the games coming up.

How long does a vaccine passport last for?

If you’re setting up a vaccine passport for the first time, you’ll be made to authenticate who you are.

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Once all is set up and you’ll have been verified then your vaccination status will appear there. If you’re an iPhone user you can add it to your wallet.

Passes last for 30 days but can easily be renewed once you login towards the end of the month.

What if I’m not double jabbed?

If you’re not double jabbed but still hope to attend football matches then you should source a COVID-19 test kit.

Conduct a test at 48 hours or less before the match you aim to attend and then register it into the NHS app. You’ll be able to get a digital receipt to your email.

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