Recommendations for the return of spectators to sport stadiums: A South African Sports Medicine Association (SASMA) position statement – Part 4

Dimakatso Ramagole,Pierre Viviers,Robin Saggers,Lervasen Pillay,Dina Christa Janse van Rensburg,Jon Patricios,Craig Thompson,Sharief Hendricks

doi:10.17159/2078-516x/2021/v33i1a12558

Abstract

All sports were discontinued in 2020 with the arrival of COVID-19. Since then most have been reinstated, albeit without spectators. However, several countries have put together a number of different risk-mitigating strategies to allow spectators back into stadiums. This position statement gives an outline of the minimum requirements that should be considered upon the return of spectators at live sporting events.

Highlights

All sports were discontinued in 2020 with the arrival of COVID-19
The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), together with the Event and Safety Council (ESC), was mandated by the Department of Sports, Culture and Recreation (DSACR) to develop a document to explain what processes should be put in place for the safe return of spectators.[3]
The results of the antigen test and monitoring were captured using a geolocating cell phone app and online booking system. While this was a costly exercise for both the organisers and spectators, as far as the researchers were aware, the Final was a success in terms of managing the risk of COVID-19

Summary

POSITION STATEMENT

Recommendations for the return of spectators to sport stadiums: A South African Sports Medicine Association (SASMA) position statement – Part 4. The Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, postponed from 2020, concluded safely, albeit with no spectators and the rigorous daily testing of participants.[1] In South Africa, all sporting federations were given the green light to resume professional sport on 20 August 2020 by the Ministry of Sports, Art and Culture.[2] This resumption was based on specific conditions, such as COVID-19 PCR tests, continuous education, daily screening, and no spectators allowed This year, the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), together with the Event and Safety Council (ESC), was mandated by the Department of Sports, Culture and Recreation (DSACR) to develop a document to explain what processes should be put in place for the safe return of spectators.[3] The first country to host spectators after COVID-19 was declared a pandemic was Qatar. International experience shows that in the time leading to the Euro 2020 UEFA competition, COVID-19 vaccines were available, which added another risk mitigating layer to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus

Recommendations for spectators at stadiums for professional sport

Mandatory spectator conditions

Screening and surveillance

Findings

Conclusion