Measures designed to reduce transmission of COVID-19 at Euro 2020 matches may not have been as effective due to the push for larger attendances, a new study has found.
Research led by the University of Stirling identified a range of factors that led to the compromising of public health procedures at the two UK stadiums used for the competition – Wembley and Hampden Park.
It found that the ambition for higher attendances at latter stage fixtures, the differing local and national regulations, and the emotion of supporters combined with difficulties in recruiting and training an appropriate number of stewards at venues posed significant challenges to organisers.
Hampden Park in Glasgow operated at 25% of full capacity, while London’s Wembley allowed 25% for the group stage, 50% for the knockouts, and 75% for the semi-finals and final matches. Some stakeholders who were interviewed for the study suggested that host cities may have felt ‘pressured’ to achieve a minimum capacity of 25%, with political pressure potentially compromising public health recommendations on social distancing.
Among the recommendations for future events is that ticketing procedures and other information should be located in a single place.
Dr Richard Purves, of the Institute for Social Marketing and Health at Stirling, led the research and he believes that the recommendations will help enhance health and safety provision at major events in the future.
He said: “Euro 2020 was the first sporting mega event to take place during the pandemic and was considered a pilot for returning to ‘normal life’ without increasing the risk of infections or hospitalisations. However, our multidisciplinary research found significant challenges in the implementation of COVID-19 mitigation measures, a lack of compliance from spectators, and, in some cases, friction between the governing body and the local organising structures.
“In recent months, we have seen the easing of COVID-19 restrictions across the UK – however, major events will still be required to factor in mitigation measures to their plans, given transmission risks and the possibility of further variants. Our study makes a number of recommendations which will help organisers of mega events to better plan and implement COVID-19 mitigation measures, and general safety provision, for future events.”
The study was split into three parts – the first an analysis of policy documents, emerging evidence, and stakeholder views; the second an online questionnaire of more than 500 spectators who attended UK-based Euro 2020 matches; and the third observation and data collection at 12 matches played during the competition at Wembley and Hampden.
The authors write: “UEFA were keen for higher attendances at showpiece matches. As stadium capacities increased, it became even more difficult to enforce mitigation measures.”
The researchers recommend that, in future, event organisers form working groups with public health experts, local authorities, government advisers and spectators to embed best practices, including guidance provided by the Sports Grounds Safety Authority on health and biohazards, for reducing COVID-19 transmission, and that their plans remain agile to adapt to any changes in legislation.
They also said spectators must be provided with clear, up to date information regarding entry procedures and mitigation. Ticketing and entry processes must be clear and straightforward, with information held in one place – not across multiple checkpoints, apps or websites – and staggered entry is required while vaccination status and proof of a negative test are checked.
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