Premier League health passports could pave the way for fans to return to stadiums next season

The company supplying testing for the Premier League hopes they can pave the way for fans to return to stadiums with their "health passport".

Premier League players and staff will all be armed with the health passports from Wednesday in order to gain access to the red zones at stadiums.

Grounds have been divided into three separate zones; green, amber and red, with only 110 people - all of whom will have provided a negative test for coronavirus - allowed inside the latter, which covers the players' entrance, changing rooms and the pitch. Those entering the red zone, which ranges from players and coaches to VAR operators and club media staff, must have registered a negative test in the five days prior to the game.

Prenetics, the company providing and carrying out the testing for Premier League clubs, have developed the health passport, which will give each player and staff member their own personal code which can be scanned to show that they have tested negative for Covid-19.

In Pictures | Manchester United training during Premier League return

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The passports will be accessible on each individual's phone and will grant them access to restricted areas of the stadium in order to keep the grounds as bio-secure as possible. It is hoped that the software could be rolled out to supporters next season, allowing fans to return to stadiums sooner than expected but in a safe environment.

Earlier this month, Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy called on all Premier League stakeholders to work together to find a way to bring supporters back into grounds.

“It is imperative that we now all work together – scientists, technologists, the government and the live events sector – to find a safe way to bring spectators back to sport and entertainment venues," he said. "Collectively we have the ability to support the development of new technologies to make this possible and to once again experience the passion of fans at live events.”

Prenetics CEO, Avi Lasarow said: “This clinical Health Passport demonstrates how employers can link digital results to access controls or accreditation systems at a time when the UK opens the doors to return to normal work and life for millions of our country people, part of the commitment of Prenetics to playing a leading role in ‘getting Britain back to work and living’."

So far the Premier League have carried out 8,687 tests on players and staff, with 16 individuals returning positive tests. Those who test positive must self isolate for seven days and provide a negative test result before returning to training and matches.

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