AFTER long months of playing behind closed doors, sports teams will once again be spurred on by cheering fans in the stands – from next Friday (August 13), basketball and football stadia will be open to the public.
Restrictions will remain in place, including limits on numbers, staggered entry and exit, masks compulsory and a blanket ban on eating and drinking at the venue, but no requirements are in place for spectators to show a negative Covid test result or proof of vaccination as a condition of access.
Spain's government is against the idea of showing these documents for entry to bars or nightclubs, as has been proposed by some regions, since it would effectively discriminate based upon age: Vaccines are being administered in descending order from the oldest to the youngest, meaning teens and younger adults could be left out if they do not yet have an immunisation certificate, unless they can afford to pay for a test every time they want to go to a bar.
For sports matches, fan-club members or season-ticket holders will be given priority when a game is oversubscribed, according to the papers drawn up by health minister Carolina Darías during a series of government discussions.
At first, these spectators were going to be the only ones allowed in, but Sra Darías realised this could result in a larger number of people travelling between regions as they follow their teams throughout the season.
To prevent a level of en masse inter-regional migration which would not otherwise occur, matches are open to the general public if seats are left unfilled once season-ticket holders and fan-club members have snapped theirs up.
A maximum of 40% of places can be taken up in outside seating, such as at football matches in the stands, or 30% for indoor areas, meaning all basketball matches and the VIP boxes or hospitality units at both.
Smoking, eating and drinking are not permitted even in outside venues, other than bottles of water as this is essential to prevent fans collapsing with heatstroke and dehydration in the full summer sun.
In keeping with all other activities at present, masks must be worn even in outside areas at sports events – these are otherwise only mandatory outdoors in public places where there are a high number of people; whilst not necessary when walking down a deserted street, they are indeed required in crowded open-air areas.
Organisers are expected to ensure everyone present keeps at least 1.5 metres apart from anyone not part of their 'spectator group' of friends or family who have travelled there together.
The restrictions are the minimum safety requirements, but Sra Darías says regional governments are at liberty to tighten these even further if they prefer.
Training or practice sessions, which habitually attract an audience, should 'ideally' be behind closed doors, she states, but this is not compulsory as long as the maximum proportion of seats as for main matches is not exceeded.
The situation will be reviewed two weeks later, on Sunday, August 29, where limitations may be relaxed if contagion rates fall and inoculation rates rise, or made more stringent if health circumstances dictate.
SPAIN'S last-minute win against England in the 2024 UEFA Euros comes on the 60th anniversary of the country's first-ever title in the much-followed competition – and has broken numerous records, too.
A HOLLYWOOD legend joining folk-dancers from Asturias and showing off her fancy footwork in the street is not a scene your average Oviedo resident witnesses during his or her weekly shop. Even though their northern...
