SA stadiums 'open' for fans
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Spectators are set to return to sports venues in South Africa, following the latest adjusted lockdown regulations.
South Africa’s stadiums have been closed for sports fans since March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, after 18 months the amended lockdown regulation published in the Government Gazette has made provisions to allow fans back to sporting venues.
According to the Government Gazette published on Monday, up to 2 000 spectators will be allowed to attend professional matches, subject to strict adherence to all health protocols and distance measures.
SA Rugby has not yet commented on the latest developments.
Last Tuesday, the South African Football Association (SAFA) confirmed that it had been given the green light for fans to return to stadiums.
SAFA revealed that fans will have the chance to attend Bafana Bafana’s 2022 World Cup qualifier against Ethiopia in Johannesburg on Tuesday.
Thus far sporting venues was strictly limited to journalists, radio, television crews, security personnel, emergency medical services, and other necessary employees.
Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that South African teams in the United Rugby Championship will play their scheduled home matches at the end of November and beginning of December from a ‘neutral base’ in Italy.
The opening four weeks of the URC has the SA teams at various venues in Italy, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
The decision to move the SA teams to Italy was done because South Africa was still on the ‘red list’ of travellers to the United Kingdom.
Despite South Africa being removed from the UK’s red flag list for travel this past week, it came too late to change the roster back to its original format.
