Coronavirus: Fans mask-up for return to Premier League’s southern stadia

December 4 – Fans returning to English Premier League games this weekend will have to wear face masks at all times and have been banned from over-excessive singing or chanting to avoid Covid-19 transmission.

After eight months, up to 2,000 fans will be allowed to attend matches via ballots at clubs that are situated in tier-2 Covid-restricted areas of the country. Ten clubs are eligible to welcome back supporters under the tiered system but not the two Manchester teams who are in the highest tier

Although sitting outdoors does not officially require a face mask in the UK, fans will have to do so inside stadiums. Only those from the same household will be able to sit together , with all other supporters spreading out in a social-distancing seating plan.

Supporters have not been allowed in the Premier League stadiums since March with all games since  played behind closed doors.

A limited number of fans returned to some lower division Football League (EFL) games on Wednesday and were present at Arsenal’s Europa League match against Rapid Vienna on Thursday.

The first Premier League fixture to welcome fans will be West Ham United v Manchester United on Saturday, before Chelsea face Leeds United later that day. The North London derby between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal on Sunday will also have 2,000 fans present.

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