Advertisement
Up to 200 people allowed to at...

Off The Ball

Up to 200 people allowed to attend outdoor stadia in new restrictions

Stephen Kisbey-Green
Stephen Kisbey-Green

12:22 15 Sep 2020


Share this article


The government announced on Tuesday that gatherings of up to 200 people will be permitted for outdoor stadia that have an accredited capacity of 5,000 under the new restrictions.

This means that a small number of spectators across Ireland will be able to attend matches at their local clubs.

Venues that do not meet the minimum 5,000 accredited capacity will be restricted to 100 spectators, and all indoor sporting activities are limited to 50 spectators.

The FAI, GAA and IRFU have since begun making their plans for the return of spectators.

However, Dublin will be under slightly different regulations, as the city and county currently has one of the highest positivity and growth rates in the country.

These restrictions do not cover very large, purpose built stadiums and event centres.

Further discussions will be had in order to form specific guidelines based on the differing sizes and conditions of different events and facilities.

There will also be further discussions on raising the number of people able to attend matches at a later date.

Stage 2 of the restrictions allows for outdoor training for pods of up to 15 people for all sports, while elite, professional and inter-county and senior club teams can train as normal.

Additionally, indoor training, and exercise classes can take place in pods of up to six people.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has stated that Dublin might move back to Level 3 if the virus is not controlled.

That would mean that professional matches would move behind closed doors, and no non-professional, senior GAA or inter-county matches will be permitted to take place.

Counties where cases are particularly low, for example Sligo or Mayo could move to Level 1.

Level 1 of restrictions would see all training sessions, both indoor and outdoor, operate normally.

Additionally, up to 100 spectators would be able to attend indoor sporting events, while the outdoor events in stadia with less that 5,000 accredited capacity will be capped at 200 spectators.

Under level 1, outdoor stadia with a capacity of more than 5,000 would be permitted to hold 500 spectators.


Share this article


Read more about

Coronavirus FAI Football GAA Government Hurling IRFU Rugby Soccer