The 海角视频 events sector will take its first tentative steps along the road to recovery after the Government confirmed a handful of pilot events that will welcome back crowds.
Big sporting events, theatre shows and gigs will be used to judge the safety of bringing audiences back after a year of closures.
Among them will be the Wembley FA Cup semi-final between Leicester and Southampton on April 18 – with a crowd of 4,000 – and the League Cup Final at the same stadium a week later between Spurs and Manchester City, which will have 8,000 supporters.
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Football matches have been played behind closed doors since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, while theatres have been locked and concert halls have stood empty.
Some theatres, such as Leicester’s Haymarket, have closed for good.
With the vaccination programme making progress in the 海角视频 and the Government easing lockdowns, limited audiences will be allowed under what is being called the Events Research Programme.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “We are all longing to see stadiums full of sporting fans and gigs packed with music lovers, but as we continue the roll out of our vaccination programme, we must find a way to do so safely.
“By piloting a range of measures to reduce transmission, we can gather vital scientific evidence to inform our plans for allowing events in the future.
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“Thanks to the input of our clinicians and the best science available, we can prepare for the moment where we will be able to gather again in some of our best-loved cultural venues.”
The initial list of pilot events:
16 April - Hot Water Comedy Club, Liverpool - 300 people (indoor seated)
18 April - FA Cup Semi-Final - Wembley - 4,000 people (outdoor seated)
17 April - 3 May - Snooker World Championships - Sheffield Crucible Theatre - up to 1,000 people a day (indoor seated)
23-25 April - Luna Outdoor Cinema, Liverpool - 1,000 people (outdoor seated)
24-25 April - Three 10k runs - Hatfield Park - 3,000 people and up to 3,000 spectators at each event (outdoor, mass participation run)
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25 April - Carabao Cup Final, Wembley - 8,000 people (outdoor, seated)
28 April - Business Event, Liverpool - 1,000 people (indoor, seated and mixing)
30 April - Circus Nightclub, Liverpool - circa 3,000 people (indoor club night)
15 May - FA Cup Final, Wembley - 21,000 people (outdoor, seated)
The FA has not yet revealed details of how the Leicester vs Southampton tickets will be allocated, though reports suggest they will go to local residents in the Brent area.
However, the EFL said Carabao Cup final tickets will be made available to Man City and Tottenham fans, with some also going to local residents and NHS staff.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said: “We are delighted to be hosting three test events at Wembley and are confident we can offer a safe environment. This is an important first step towards getting fans back, with the end goal of full stadia – hopefully by the end of the Men’s Euros.
“We would like to thank all authorities for their support throughout this process.”
World Snooker Tournament chairman Barry Hearn OBE said: “We are delighted to be part of this Events Research Programme which will help illuminate the path for all of us back towards normal life, by using scientific data.
“This is not just about snooker, it is about hosting live events in indoor settings, so it will also help theatres, concerts and other parts of the entertainment industry. We are proud to have been selected and to play our part.
“We have been chosen because of our exemplary record of staging snooker events over the past year in a safe environment. We have set the standard in the sporting world.
“Our leading players have missed the excitement of walking into an arena packed with fans. The atmosphere at the Crucible is going to be very special.”
Matthew Ashton, Liverpool’s director of public health, said: “Our experience as the pilot city for mass symptom-free testing means we have the knowledge and infrastructure in place to deliver complicated projects safely.
“We really hope we can help provide the scientific evidence needed to ensure the wider sector is able to open across the country in the coming months.
“This is a continuation of the city’s long-standing tradition of carrying out pioneering public health work that not only has an impact here, but also across the rest of the country and the wider world.
The pilots will be used the study the effectiveness of venue layouts, face coverings and ventilation – with attendees taking tests both before and after to judge any impact.
People attending will also have to provide contact details of everyone in their group for NHS Test and Trace.