Sheffield gears up to host fans pilot for sport and entertainment
The Crucible will be full next month for the final of the snooker
Last updated 16th Apr 2021
Sheffield's getting ready to play a key role in getting fans back to sport and entertainment venues across the UK.
The World Snooker Championship gets underway at The Crucible tomorrow as a pilot for the government's Events Research Programme.
The tournament will eventually see the theatre full, with no social distancing, for the final weekend next month.
Adam Richardson is one of the fans going:
"I'm really looking forward to it - excited to be attending and grateful they've been able to get fans back.
"We've got to wear masks in and around the arena whilst moving around. We have to prove we've got a negative test result. Also they're asking us to take a test after attending the event just to confirm that we haven't picked up anything whilst being there.
"Moving forwards if we can be that first example that events like this can go ahead - whether it be festivals, music concerts, more sporting events, then that'd be brilliant."
The Crucible will be 33% percent full for the first round, 50% full for the second round, 75% full for the quarter finals and semi-finals, and then completely full for the final.
It'll mean almost a thousand spectators will be at the theatre by mid May, with no expectation of social distancing.
Fans are being asked to get tested for Covid before and after the event.
Ivan Hirchowitz is from World Snooker - he says it's a big step forward for entertainment:
"We're really proud to be the first indoor sporting event to be welcoming back fans - it's a really significant moment for us.
"And of course it's not just about sport - it's about bringing back live indoor entertainment, so that might apply to theatres and cinemas and indoor comedy gigs. It's helping us get along that roadmap towards normal life.
"The people who come are encouraged to have a PCR test before and afterwards. And then what the government scientists do is analyse those results and look at how that was affected in the different settings - at the 33% capacity going right up to the full capacity."
Last year the event was also part of a pilot government programme to get fans back.
But it had to be put on hold after just one day when Boris Johnson delayed the easing of restrictions because of a spike in cases.
Ivan says this year should be different:
"Everybody was absolutely gutted last year, least of all ourselves, because fans came in for the first day but then the government decision was changed and fans couldn't come in, although we did get them in for the final which was brilliant. It's not going to be like that this year; if you buy a ticket this year you will be coming.
"We're just delighted to be part of this project and we've been chosen because of our exemplary record of staging Covid-secure events over the last year."