Fans attending Premier League football matches may need a Covid Passport to gain entry to stadiums from the first round of matches in mid-August.
The Government is expected to ‘encourage’ the use of Covid certification for large crowds and in some settings, masks, too, but will not mandate either.
However, it is highly unlikely any sport would ignore Government guidance on this matter given the risk and consequences of a Covid outbreak.
The development of new guidance follows Prime Minister Boris Johnson urging the use of Covid passports amid renewed fears that big crowds could accelerate the spread of coronavirus after Freedom Day on July 19.
Covid passports have been tested at Wembley during the latter stages of Euro 2020
The Government is set to lift all legal restrictions on social distancing from Monday as the country moves from Step Three to Step Four of the roadmap out of lockdown.
Sources in sport say they are braced for the further guidance this week on what this will mean for them.
For Premier League football, it now looks increasingly likely that Government will hope to see a certification scheme in place from the first match, which is Brentford versus Arsenal on Friday August 13, ahead of a full round of fixtures.
Covid certification uses the NHS app, which can confirm if a person has received two doses of the vaccine, has a negative lateral flow test or has natural immunity to the virus from a previous infection.
Ministers are mindful that not all sports will be in a position to implement Covid Passports from Monday and it ‘is not the flick of a switch on the 19th and everyone is ready’, according to a Whitehall source, who added: ‘There will be gradual encouragement to roll it out.’
The checking of Covid Passports was criticised by fans who said stewards were easily duped
But Government thinks a system could be ready for implementation at the start of the next Premier League season. The top flight has been working towards a scheme for some time and is understood to be exploring early implementation.
Latitude may be given to lower league clubs, which could be granted more time to prepare for the introduction of Covid certification, Sportsmail understands.
Previously, the Cabinet Secretary, Michael Gove, told MPs that if implemented, Covid passports could be used for capacities at football stadiums above 20,000. This would include all Premier League grounds and a significant number in the EFL.
The Premier League, a long with other sports, has been clear
