UEFA announced that there will be a return of spectators to the EURO 2020 venues to be held from 11 June to 11 July.
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Currently, eight host countries have confirmed stadium capacities based on their projections of an improved health situation in their countries in June and July due to a number of factors, including a country’s vaccination rollout, its planned measures for reopening the economy and the projected slow-down in the virus due to warmer season.
Several of the host countries had already incorporated EURO 2020 in the rollout of their national recovery strategy. In addition, in planning the UEFA EURO 2020 final tournament, UEFA has worked closely with the World Health Organisation to adapt the WHO COVID-19 risk assessment tool for EURO 2020.
St. Petersburg has confirmed a capacity of 50%, with the possibility of increasing the capacity by end of April, while Budapest is aiming to host spectators at full capacity, subject to spectators fulfilling strict stadium entry requirements.
Baku has confirmed a capacity of 50%, with the travelling fans of the participating teams required to present a negative COVID-19 test result to enter Azerbaijan.
Amsterdam, Bucharest, Copenhagen and Glasgow have confirmed a capacity of 25%-33%, with Amsterdam, Bucharest and Copenhagen keeping open the option potentially to raise their capacities at the end of this month, depending on the development of their mass testing programmes and general health conditions.
London has confirmed a minimum capacity of 25% for the three group matches and round of 16 match and are hoping to confirm a higher capacity in early June for the semi-finals and final.
The remaining four cities have until 19 April to provide additional information on their plans and final decisions will be made on that date regarding the staging of matches in those four venues.
Fans wishing to travel to the host countries to watch the matches will find it challenging due to ever-changing restrictions. They will have to comply with the border entry restrictions and requirements (including quarantine) in force at the time, as no exemptions will be granted for ticketholders for nine host countries.
Only three host countries are planning exemptions from entry restrictions and requirements. Ticket holders travelling to Baku, Budapest and St. Petersburg may be able to benefit from special procedures that will exempt them from entry bans or quarantine requirements.
Non-resident ticket holders traveling to Budapest will be required to present proof of negative results from two COVID-19 tests performed in the 5 days preceding entry into Hungary or a certificate of previous COVID-19 infection valid within 6 months prior to entry into the country.
For St. Petersburg, the authorities are also considering exemption from travel restrictions for the general public and participating team supporters holding valid tickets, subject to presenting proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test result.
For Baku, the exemption is applicable only to participating team supporters (citizens or residents of said country) holding a ticket who may enter the country if they present proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test result.
In addition, for the matches in Bucharest, ticket holders may benefit from the exemption from quarantine if they present a recent COVID-19 test and limit their stay to less than three days. ■
A low pressure wave forming along a cold front will track across the New England coast this morning, bringing a period of rain, heavy at times for much of New England, especially for Maine today.