The World Snooker Championship has outlined the steps fans will have to take in line with Covid-19 protocols, after revealing the final is planned to go ahead with a full capacity attendance.
The tournament has already been confirmed as part of the Government’s range of pilot events in spring and summer to build evidence on the risks associated with Covid-19 transmission routes.
Now, details have emerged regarding where and when spectators will be tested for Covid-19, along with the confirmation that fans will not have to pay for the service before heading to the Crucible.
Steps have now been outlined regarding what fans must do to return to sporting events such as the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible
Whereas people who are planning to jet off for a foreign holiday have to pay up for the testing procedures before being given the green light, fans at the World Snooker Championship will have this service taken care of.
Outlining the latest developments on its official website, the WST announced: ‘As part of the safety protocols for the Event Research Programme, it will be a requirement that all attendees will undertake a test for Covid-19 prior to attending the Crucible Theatre and additionally five days post attendance. Both tests will be free of charge.
‘The pre-event test will need to be performed on either the day of the session you will be attending, or the day before the session you will be attending.
The tournament will following similar guidelines to the Betfred World Championship, but will have a full capacity audience in place for the showpiece final
‘Once you have taken your test you will be sent a text message that confirms the result and you will need to show this text, with a negative result, at the venue prior to being allowed into the venue so you must retain this text message.
‘The test can be booked in your local vicinity and we strongly advise to get your test before you travel to Sheffield.’
Round one of the tournament, stretching from Saturday 17th April to Wednesday 21st April, will operate at 33% spectator capacity, the WST has confirmed.
Social distancing guidelines are set to be implemented, similar to those in place at the end of the 2020 Betfred World Championship. There will also be a one-metre distancing observed between different ticket groups and bookings.
Social distancing measures will be in place throughout the building and external queuing areas, the organising body has said, and face coverings will need to be worn throughout the time inside the building, including when seated.
Change will soon occur however, as round two of the event (from Thursday 22nd April to Monday 26th April) will operate at a 50% capacity with parties spread away from each other in order to maintain distance.
A surge up to 75% capacity will then be in place for the quarter and semi-finals stage (between 27th April to Saturday 1st May) and at this point the WST has noted ‘it will not be possible to avoid different parties sitting alongside one another.’
Unlike for people traveling for foreign holidays, fans won’t have to pay for their Covid-19 tests
Likewise, it is added that social distancing will ‘not be expected under this capacity although some mitigation procedures will be required to reduce the risk of transmission including wearing face coverings in the venue.’
For the final itself, spanning Sunday 2nd to Monday 3rd of May, no capacity restrictions will be in place inside the crucible.
Social distancing measures will be completely relaxed however organisers have again requested that some mitigation proceedures including the wearing of face masks inside the venue be adhered to.
The latest news comes as sport collectively tries to make a huge effort – in line with Government policy – to reintroduce fans to the stands.
As reported by Sportsmail The FA and EFL will take charge of validating the Covid testing that will enable small numbers of fans to attend matches at Wembley this month.
All ticket holders for the Leicester vs Southampton FA Cup semi-final on April 18 and the Manchester City vs Tottenham Carabao Cup final the following week must submit a negative test, with results validated by the FA and EFL, to gain entry.
The Covid tests will be delivered through the existing community network, with ticket holders to be sent testing kits through the post, as is currently the case for secondary school children.
Rapid and large-scale covid testing has now become a hot top as the country prepares to get back to a semblance of its pre-pandemic self.
Anyone currently coming to the UK has to take a pre-flight test and buy a two-swab package to be used two and eight days after arrival.
Official packages use gold-standard PCR technology and cost around £200 a head.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s officials will examine whether travellers could switch to the fast-turnaround ‘lateral flow devices’ that the Government is giving away.
Mr Johnson revealed he was looking at using cheaper tests and said: ‘I do think we want to make things as easy as we possibly can.