Sports ministry allows stadiums to be filled upto 50% in fresh SOP

New Delhi, Dec 27 : A maximum of 50 per cent of the total capacity of a stadium can now be filled with spectators during outdoor sports events, the Sports ministry on Sunday said in its Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for resumption of sports competitions in the country.
The ministry said that the spectator management will be done in accordance to the Ministry of Home Affairs’ guidelines issued on November 25.
The Home Ministry had put a cap of 200 people in case the event is taking place in a closed space. It also allowed for state governments to reduce the according to their own assesments.
The SOP also calls for a “Covid task force” to be constituted for competitions by the respective organising committee. Apart from being responsible for the overall implementation of the SOP, the task force closely regulate and monitor “travel of athletes and ASP (Athlete Support Personnel)”.
Organising committees are to designate a Covid response team that athletes and their support staff can contact if they experience symptoms suggestive of coronavirus.
Athletes are also to avoid physiotherapy or massages “unless absolutely necessary” and ensure physical distancing and wear masks at all times except when it becomes necessary on the field of play.