Tougher capacity restrictions have been introduced for sporting events in Spain, Italy and France due to ongoing concerns relating to the spread of COVID-19.
In Spain, outdoor sports events will be able to operate at 75% capacity, with indoor events capped at 50%. Outdoor events had previously been able to go ahead without restrictions, while the previous indoor limit was 80%.
Stadiums in Spain had been operating at full capacity since September. The new rules will affect matches in football’s LaLiga and basketball’s Liga ACB. It is unclear how long the restrictions will be in place for.
Meanwhile in France, outdoor events have been limited to just 5,000 people and indoor events to 2,000. The new measures will be in place for three weeks. Spectators attending indoor concerts in France will be required to be seated to limit the potential spread of COVID-19.
From January 10, outdoor stadiums in Italy will be limited to 50% capacity, with indoor venues permitted to open at 35%. The new restrictions have been announced after measures were brought in last month which require fans attending sporting events in Italy to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Germany had already announced an attendance cap of 15,000 for outdoor sporting events amid rising concerns over the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Smaller stadiums with a capacity of under 30,000 are only permitted to open at 50% capacity.
There are currently no restrictions on attending sporting events in England. In Scotland, however, attendance is limited to 500 people, while in Wales all sporting events were moved behind closed doors from December 26.
Image: Vienna Reyes on Unsplash
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