World Snooker has confirmed a capacity crowd will be allowed to watch the World Snooker final at the Crucible Theatre next month; the final will be played on Sunday May 2 and Monday May 3; the return of spectators will be staggered throughout the tournament
Wednesday 7 April 2021 17:12, UK
The 2021 World Snooker Championship final is set to be played in front of a capacity crowd at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield next month.
World Snooker announced on Wednesday the return of fans will be staggered throughout the event.
The Sheffield tournament will be the first sporting competition included in government plans for a pilot programme enabling the safe return of mass gatherings and indoor events as lockdown restrictions ease in England.
All of those attending will have to take a COVID-19 test before they arrive, and must show confirmation of a negative result to enter the venue, as well as having another five days afterwards at home.
The venue will operate at 33 per cent capacity for the first round of matches between April 17 and 21 before increasing to 50 per cent for the second round.
A 75 per cent capacity crowd will be permitted for the quarter-finals and semi-finals.
The WST (World Snooker Tour) said social distancing "will not be expected under this capacity although some mitigation procedures will be required to reduce the risk of transmission including wearing face coverings in the venue".
For the final on May 2 and 3, it is hoped the venue "will operate without any capacity restriction" at around 980 seats, with organisers accepting "it will not be possible to avoid different parties sitting alongside one another".
Fans U18, vulnerable adults, and pregnant women will not be allowed to attend.
Ronnie O'Sullivan will be bidding for a seventh title when he defends his Crucible crown, which he won with victory over Kyren Wilson in August.
The delayed 2020 tournament had initially been open to fans on the first day.
However, it then went behind closed doors amid tighter coronavirus restrictions before a limited number of spectators were eventually allowed back in for the final two days of the championship when O'Sullivan defeated Wilson 18-8.
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