Colchester United supporters could be back at the JobServe Community Stadium in October
That was the message coming from the Government at the end of last week.
They announced that a small number of sporting events will be used to pilot the safe return of spectators through late July and early August – with a view to reopen competition venues for sports fans, with social distancing measures in place, from October 2020.
The events have been carefully selected to represent a range of sports and indoor and outdoor spectator environments.
They are expected to include two men’s county cricket friendly matches - such as Surrey v Middlesex at The Oval on 26th-27th July - the World Snooker Championship at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre from 31st July, and the Glorious Goodwood horse racing festival on 1st August.
There are also likely to be further pilot events for other sports, in order to build up to and prepare for the full, socially distanced return of sporting events from October 1st, 2020.
The pilot events will provide the opportunity to stress-test the Government’s ‘stage five’ guidance, on the return of fans to elite sports events.
The guidance has been developed with UK Sport and in close consultation with the Deputy Chief Medical Officers of England, Public Health England, the Sports Grounds Safety Authority, Police and medical representatives across Olympic, Paralympic and professional sports governing bodies.
It is designed for competition delivery partners and venue operators and marks the final piece of Government guidance for the resumption of elite sport.
The guidance will outline the conditions, facilities and processes that will need to be implemented for the safe return of spectators to competitive sporting events, including tight restrictions on numbers in the short-term.
Further guidance outlining the licensing obligations for sports stadia and how venue operators must calculate safe capacities in line with social distancing restrictions will be published by the Sports Grounds Safety Authority.
It marks the latest phase of the Government's measured approach around the return of elite sport, under carefully controlled conditions.
Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston said:
"For months, millions of us have felt the void of being unable to go to the match to support our team or attend a top-class sporting event. So I am pleased that we are now able to move forward with a plan to help venues safely reopen their doors to fans.
"I recognise that not every sport, team or club has the benefit of huge commercial revenue, and it is often their dedicated fans that are the lifeblood which helps keep them going. By working closely with sports and medical experts, these pilots will help ensure the safe return of fans to stadia.
"Although it will remain some time before venues are full to capacity, this is a major step in the right direction for the resumption of live spectator sport across the country."