Sports

Fans to return to Spain’s stadiums in full force as Covid cases dip

Madrid, Sep 29 (EFE).- Spanish football stadiums will be permitted to return to full capacity this weekend for the first time since the Covid-19 lockdown last year, the country’s health ministry said Wednesday.

The agreement between the government and regional administrations also allows indoor venues such as basketball arenas to boost capacity to 80%.

The measures, which apply across all of Spain and raise capacity limits from 60% in open spaces and 40% in closed venues, will be applied on October 1 but will come under review at the end of that month.

Spectators in both settings will be required to wear face masks and venues will not be permitted to sell food and drink, apart from water. Smoking will also be forbidden in football stadiums.

The change in rules comes after Covid-19 cases dropped to the lowest point since July 2020, which was just after the country emerged from a tough lockdown that kept Spaniards housebound for months.

The health ministry on Tuesday said 2,290 cases and 60 deaths had been reported in 24 hours. Spain’s 14-day incidence rate has fallen to 62.5 cases per 100,000 people.

Almost 77% of Spaniards have had a full course of a Covid-19 vaccine.

The rule change for Spanish stadiums comes ahead of Atletico Madrid’s home tie with FC Barcelona and Real Madrid’s away trip to Espanyol.

Atleti are also set to fill out the Wanda Metropolitano for their Champions League match against Liverpool later in October.EFE

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