Scottish government scraps Covid rule requiring clubs to check vaccine status of at least half of fans in crowds of over 1,000, easing burden on Premiership clubs… but rule still applies for attendances of 10,000 or more
- The Scottish Government have scrapped rules on checking vaccination status
- Originally, crowds of more than 1,000 had to had half of attendees checked
- That has now changed, with only crowds of more than 10,000 needing checks
- It serves as relief to Premiership clubs with gates usually under the threshold
- The likes of Celtic, Rangers, Hearts and Hibernian will still have to carry them out
Covid rules obliging Scottish Premiership clubs to check the vaccine status of half the fans in crowds of 1,000 or more have been scrapped after just two weeks.
Nicola Sturgeon gave Scottish sport the green light to return to capacity crowds after Omicron restrictions were lifted last week.
Adding a caveat, however, Scotland’s First Minister stipulated that clubs should carry out mandatory spot checks on at least 50 per cent of the fans attending games for proof of a booster jag or a negative lateral flow test.
Covid vaccination proof rules for football have been scrapped for attendances under 10,000
A headache Scotland’s Premiership clubs, relief came on Tuesday when an email to clubs clarified that, in future, mandatory spot checks will be required only for crowds of 10,000 or more.
While the likes of Celtic, Rangers, Hearts and Hibs will still be compelled to check the vaccine status of half of all fans who attend home games, clubs in Scotland’s top flight with an average home gate of less than 10,000 will save cash on stewarding costs after Tuesday’s u-turn.
The email to clubs read: ‘Please be advised that the capacity limits under which the Covid Certification Scheme applies are 4,000 standing and 10,000 seated. For venues with a mix of seating and standing, the 4,000-capacity figure should be used.
‘Spectators attending matches at these expected capacities are required to evidence they meet the Covid vaccine requirements or have recently produced a negative lateral flow test result.
‘Club should aim to test 50% of those in attendance.’
Clubs such as Celtic, Rangers and Hearts will still have to ask half of fans for vaccination status
Speaking in the Scottish Parliament two weeks ago Nicola Sturgeon raised eyebrows when she applied the short-lived vaccination rules as condition of lifting a limit of 500 fans on outdoor sporting events.
‘Our guidance will now stipulate that organisers of large events of 1,000 or more people should check the certification status of at least 50 per cent of attendees rather than the current 20 per cent – or at least 1,000 people, whichever figure is highest.
‘Second, from Monday, the requirement to be fully vaccinated for the purposes of covid certification, will include having a booster if the second dose was more than four months ago.’