At Britain’s Wembley Stadium, the venerable FA Cup is also a science study for post-pandemic crowds Karla Adam UP NEXT LONDON To the fans, the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium is an all-important soccer match. It s also a science experiment with far-reaching implications about how to reopen society as the pandemic loosens its grip in some places. On Saturday afternoon, the British government was watching scientists watching fans watching Chelsea and Leicester City play in the final of the oldest national soccer tournament in the world. Prince William, the president of the English Football Association, was watching at the stadium in northwest London, too.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has warned the live events industry that the country is entering a “period of heightened vigilance” due to the spread of the Indian coronavirus variant.
He said on Twitter the Government would continue to assess the spread of the variant in the coming weeks and update venues on their reopening.
Limited audiences will be allowed back into theatres, music venues and sports stadiums from Monday as part of step 3 of the Government’s road map out of lockdown.
The crucial road map date for theatres, music venues and sports has always been step 4, so I understand this is an anxious time as we assess the situation over the next couple of weeks. (1/3)
What venues can t open after May 17th?
In Step 3, all but the most high-risk sectors will be able to reopen.
While indoor entertainment and visitor attractions can welcome back customers, some businesses will have to remain closed until June 21st at the earliest under the roadmap restrictions.
These include nightclubs, which have been closed for more than a year, and adult entertainment venues such as lap dance clubs.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson (right) and Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty during a COVID-19 media briefing in Downing Street, London, on Friday, May 14, 2021.
- Credit: PA
COVID-19 lockdown rules from May 17
Football s glorious return: 21,000 jubilant fans witness Leicester City s historic FA Cup win at Wembley in UK s biggest crowd in more than a year as club s tearful owner dedicates trophy to his father killed in helicopter crash
Leicester City have won their first ever FA Cup after a famous victory over Chelsea at Wembley Stadium
Youri Tielemans scored a second half thunderbolt worthy of winning any final on Saturday afternoon
Chelsea thought they had equalised after Ben Chilwell helped bundle the ball over the line late on
However, VAR intervened to determine that the Englishman had been offside in the build up to the goal
Foxes fans around the world will be glued to their TV sets as Leicester City gun for FA Cup glory
Members of the Blue Army will be cheering on the boys from as far-afield as New York, Canada, India and Thailand
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