download All Football App

Carlisle announce reduced 9,999 capacity so fans do NOT have to present Covid vaccine status

  /  autty

EFL club Carlisle United have announced that fans will not need to provide Covid certification to enter their Brunton Park stadium after reducing the capacity to 9,999.

On Tuesday, MPs passed the use of Covid passes for some venues in England from Wednesday, including nightclubs and any venue with more than 10,000 people.

League Two side Carlisle's Brunton Park ground has a total capacity of 17,949 - though they haven't had an attendance higher than 8,000 so far this season - but the club have announced they will reduce the total capacity so Covid certification won't be required.

The revised 9,999 capacity - below the 10,000 threshold - means match-going fans won't need to prove their Covid status.

All venues with a capacity higher than 10,000 requires fans to present a NHS Covid pass showing either a negative lateral flow test in the last 48 hours or full vaccination, or an exemption.

The move sees Brunton Park operate with a total seating capacity of 6,000 and a terraced standing capacity of 3,999.

The club added that the use of face coverings will not be mandatory in seats or on the terraces but will be legally enforced in indoor areas of the stadium such as concourses and toilets.

A club statement read: 'The club can confirm there will be no mandatory Covid certification at Brunton Park at this time.

'At this point, all areas (except Waterworks North End) are planned to remain open. At these levels of expected attendance there will be no mandatory Covid certification required at Brunton Park under 'Plan-B'.

'There will be no requirement to show vaccination status or a recent negative test to enter the stadium and come to games. Supporters will not be required to wear a face covering when located in their seat, or on the terrace, in the stadium bowl.

'All supporters aged 11 and over will be legally required to wear a face covering when located in all indoor areas of the stadium, other than when eating or drinking, or where exempt.'

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said of the new 'Plan B' plans last week: 'We will also make the NHS Covid pass mandatory for entry into nightclubs and venues where large crowds gather, including unseated indoor venues with more than 500 people, unseated outdoor venues with more than 4,000 people and any venue with more than 10,000 people.

'The NHS Covid pass can still be obtained with two doses (of a Covid vaccine) but we will keep this under review as the boosters roll out.

'And having taken clinical advice since the emergence of Omicron, a negative lateral flow test will also be sufficient.

'As we set out in Plan B, we will give businesses a week's notice, so this will come into force in a week's time, helping to keep these events and venues open at full capacity while giving everyone who attends them confidence that those around them have done the responsible thing to minimise risk to others.'

Carlisle added that for away trips, the playing squad will continue to act by seating and rooming plans based on who has been vaccinated, as per EFL guidelines.

The statement continues: 'As a club we have maintained the basic principles of dealing with Covid-19 which were initially introduced in March 2019, and which have been updated and modified regularly since.

'The football department operates in Red Zones both on match days and throughout the week, with access to those zones restricted to essential visits only for non-football staff and contractors.

'Players are on a regular cycle of lateral flow tests, and are under the close supervision of the club's medical staff for advice, should they have any concerns.

'The vaccination status of individuals is monitored, with seating and rooming lists compiled accordingly for away trips.'

Related: Carlisle United