Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Omicron: Festive sport 'effectively spectator-free' in Scotland

Written by 
Published in Rugby
Tuesday, 21 December 2021 06:33

Most festive sport in Scotland will be "effectively spectator-free" as the government continues the fight against Covid-19's Omicron variant.

The restrictions, affecting all levels of sport, start on 26 December for a three-week period.

Outdoor events will be limited to 500 people, with one metre social distancing in place, first minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed.

It comes amid surging numbers of Omicron cases across the country.

All clubs across the four divisions of the Scottish Professional Football League are required to conduct daily tests in a bid to get through the traditionally busy festive schedule.

The Scottish Premiership is due to shut down on 4 January for two weekends, with Livingston manager David Martindale among those calling for an earlier implementation of the winter break.

Three top-flight matches on Wednesday will not be impacted, but there is a full card of fixtures on Boxing Day and all clubs in the Premiership and Championship play on 29 December.

There is an Old Firm derby at Celtic Park and a Dundee derby at Dens Park scheduled for 2 January, with Hibernian hosting Edinburgh rivals Hearts the following day.

In rugby, Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh meet on on league duty on 27 December and 2 January, while Musselburgh hosts horse racing on New Year's Day.

With indoor seated events limited to 200 people, ice hockey and basketball will be affected.

Scottish sporting venues returned to unrestricted numbers for the first time since March 2020 in August.

But Ms Sturgeon said the new measures will "of course, make sports matches, including football, effectively spectator-free over this three week period".

It is understood much of the concern is centred on fans travelling to and from matches and close contact with other people in queues and toilets.

The emergency services are also said to be keen to free up staff for other priorities - especially at a time when high numbers of personnel are having to self-isolate.

People in Scotland have already been asked to stay at home as much as possible and to limit gatherings to groups of no more than three households in the run-up to and immediately after Christmas Day.

The first minister added that the precautionary steps feel "distressingly similar" to ones taken last Christmas, but said: "Although it might not feel like it, we are in a much stronger position than last year."

Scotland's national clinical director, Professor Jason Leitch, warned on Monday that the country was "nowhere near" the peak of the Omicron wave.

Read 409 times

Soccer

Ange: City game my worst experience as manager

Ange: City game my worst experience as manager

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsTottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou said he suffered cold sw...

What the heck is going on with the Portland Thorns? Their wild season so far explained

What the heck is going on with the Portland Thorns? Their wild season so far explained

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Portland Thorns are two victories away from tying the NWSL reco...

Juventus sack Allegri days after cup final antics

Juventus sack Allegri days after cup final antics

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMassimiliano Allegri has been sacked by Juventus, the club announce...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Sources: Porzingis likely out for start of East finals

Sources: Porzingis likely out for start of East finals

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBoston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis is expected to remain side...

Budenholzer: I'd coach this Suns team if on moon

Budenholzer: I'd coach this Suns team if on moon

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPHOENIX -- Mike Budenholzer got a little teary-eyed talking about h...

Baseball

'This fan base is going to fall in love with him': How Luis Arráez is following in Tony Gwynn's footsteps

'This fan base is going to fall in love with him': How Luis Arráez is following in Tony Gwynn's footsteps

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsComparisons to Tony Gwynn began to follow Luis Arráez when he first...

Dodgers activate Heyward, place Muncy on IL

Dodgers activate Heyward, place Muncy on IL

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Dodgers shuffled their roster Friday...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated