Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, and Minister of State for Sport Jack Chambers TD have announced details of a series of outdoor pilot test events to provide for the safe return of spectators.
The announcement follows a decision by Government to allow for the further easing of restrictions in line with public health guidance. In total, 15 sporting events across Gaelic games, rugby, football, golf and athletics have been targeted for the period from 11th June to the 10th July.
These pilot events will allow for sports organisations to test necessary control and other measures in stadia across a range of areas. The events will help to evaluate & review progress to advance additional events and capacity from early July & August including GAA, Camogie and LGFA championship matches, League of Ireland games, Women’s National League games, and many other sports events across the system.
Minister Martin said: “Sport, like culture, plays a huge part in Irish life. I know that across the country people are eager to get back to watching the sports they love. The lessons from these pilots will help inform a wider return for more events later in the summer. I also know how much our teams have missed supporters and this is a start to bringing atmosphere back to sports events.”
Minister Chambers said: “Sport plays such an important role in so many people’s lives and is crucial to our physical and mental health and wellbeing. It is really positive that from June people from all around the country will be able to attend the matches, games and the sporting events they love.
“The trial events we have announced will allow for sports bodies and stadiums to put in place and test out the necessary safety measures to allow for the safe return of spectators. The trial events we have identified are spread across five different sports and in venues located around the country.
“The intention is that the pilots will pave the way for even more matches, games and other sporting events to be attended by spectators further into July and August with capacity increasing all the time throughout the summer.”
“From a broader sporting perspective, I am really pleased we have been able to agree on further easing of restrictions to allow more people back participating in physical activity and exercising, as well as the return of competitive sport from early June.
In addition to the trial events, the Government also today announced that from 7th June numbers permitted at organised outdoor events can increase to a maximum of 100 for the majority of venues, with a maximum of 200 for outdoor stadia/venues where there is a minimum capacity of 5000.
Subject to maintaining progress with the virus, from 5th July, the numbers permitted at outdoor organised events can further increase to a maximum of 200 for the majority of venues, with a maximum of 500 for outdoor stadia/venues with a capacity of 5000. Further increases in the numbers permitted at both indoor and outdoor events will be considered in August.
In addition to the return of attendees at events, there has been a further easing of restrictions across the sports sector. From 7th June, outdoor sports matches can recommence. Gyms, swimming pools including swimming lessons and leisure centres can also reopen.
Indoor training, exercise and dance activities can recommence in pods of up to 6 from July 5th, subject to maintaining progress with the virus.