COVID-19 vaccine certification will be introduced for fans attending Wembley’s UEFA Euro 2020 group stage matches this summer.
Wembley is due to host three group stage matches at Euro 2020, as well as two round of 16 fixtures, the two semi-finals and the final. Its first match will be England versus Croatia on Sunday.
Wembley’s three group stage matches will see COVID certification used for the first time at a sporting event in the UK.
UEFA confirmed today (Tuesday) that supporters will be required to show proof of full vaccination (with the second jab received at least 14 days beforehand) via the NHS app or a negative lateral flow test within the previous two days. This will apply to all ticket holders aged 11 and older.
Wembley is set to welcome 22,500 fans for the three group stage matches and this could increase for fixtures in the latter stages of the tournament. UEFA said that procedures for proof of vaccination at knockout matches may change and will be confirmed shortly.
The COVID-19 ‘vaccine passports’ will not apply for matches held at Glasgow’s Hampden Park, which is hosting three group stage matches and a round of 16 fixture at Euro 2020.
Euro 2020 is being staged in 11 cities across Europe: London, Munich, Seville, Saint Petersburg, Rome, Budapest, Bucharest, Baku, Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Glasgow. The tournament gets underway on Friday when Italy takes on Turkey at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico.
Back in April, a number of the UK’s leading sports bodies united to back COVID-19 passports as a “credible option” to ensure stadiums and arenas are able to work to full capacity.
An open letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, plus the leaders of the other political parties, was signed by the Premier League, English Football League (EFL), Football Association (FA), Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL), All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Rugby Football Union (RFU), Rugby Football League (RFL) and Silverstone Circuit.
The UK government has set June 21 as the provisional date when all COVID-19 restrictions can be lifted and venues can operate at full capacity. Sporting events in England have been able to go ahead with limited capacity since May 17.
Image: Pixabay
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