Dan Wootton hits out at Premier League COVID-19 checks
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
The Premier League started again at 8pm today with a game between Arsenal and Brentford. Football fans will welcome the season excited following England’s show stopping performance at the Euros this year. But with the excitement comes some apprehension amid high Covid case rates and increased mingling at stadiums across the UK.
Although the Government shed all of England’s remaining Covid restrictions with confidence on the July 19 “Freedom Day”, cases have barely shifted.
Covid infections still number in the tens of thousands, with 30,000 reported today.
Another 100 people have died, and health authorities fear significant gatherings could see these figures increase.
Government scientists have voiced concerns, advising people to take care as the season opens.
Public Health England (PHE) Medical Director Dr Yvonne Doyle is among them.
She urged fans to take some limited precautions as they arrive at their team’s grounds this year.
Dr Doyle said: “The football season is back underway, and I know many people are excited to be back in a ground for the first time in 18 months.
“Everyone should be able to go to a sporting event, have fun and enjoy it safely.”
“However, COVID-19 has not gone away and there are a few things we can all do to reduce the risk.
“You might want to arrive early or late to help avoid large crowds and wear a mask particularly in enclosed and crowded spaces.”
Dr Doyle’s fears come from concerning actions taken by fans during the Euros.
As the games went on, England fans reported friends who had received a positive test but attended marches regardless.
DON’T MISS
‘I just ignore it!’ Only 25% of voters still have NHS Test and Trace – POLL
WHO hits out! Demands data from ‘all countries including China’ – INSIGHT
Travel: ‘Good deals’ to help cut cost of PCR tests – ANALYSIS
Others said “pretty much everyone” they knew who had attended a match later contracted Covid.
At the time, some credited the surge in cases to a “Wembley variant”.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) also blamed the competition for a rise in cases across Europe.
By their reckoning, mixing crowds and travelling had pushed infections up by 10 percent.
The competition also saw a notable gender split in cases, with men testing positive more often.
Covid may end up an issue for both fans and players alike this Premier League season.
Five Everton players won’t attend Saturday’s game against South Hampton due to infections.
And Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has lost four players to self-isolation while Dean Henderson struggles with the virus a month after his positive test.
Source: Read Full Article