Quick Tests Could Refill Stadiums

VST Enterprises Ltd's scheme could see fans' safe return to stadiums.

08:06 07 August 2020

Manchester firm VST Enterprises has submitted a plan to the Government to get fans back safely to stadiums. The 'Fans are Back' initiative could see fans undergoing a Covid-19 rapid test a few days before the game. 

 

The proposals follow Prime Minister Boris Johnson statement this month hoping for stadiums to open by October. VST responded by submitting pilot programmes to the Government's Department of Culture, Media and Sport. 

 

The scheme will bring up to 5,000 volunteers to the stadium for the trial. To qualify, interested parties will need to download the V-Health passport app, which will require them to submit their official Government ID and personal details. They will then be directed to a testing location where they will take the Covid test. The pilot is only for home fans. 

 

Sports Minister Richard Caborn backs up the scheme saying that it could be "game-changing" in these unprecedented times. 

 

He said: "This is exactly what the Government needs to be encouraging sports administrators to adopt for fans to be safe in coming back into the sports stadiums and major events. By running the FANS ARE Back test pilot programme this will allow the football and rugby clubs to trial a program of rapid testing and using a V-Health Passport to confirm and authorise a person's Covid status. 

 

"In my opinion it is significant and positive way in ensuring that spectator sports can resume in the UK where we test and use a health password to validate that test results. 

 

"That is the only way we can ensure that sports fans are safetyly entering a stadium as test negative."