With the start of the new Danske Bank Premiership now one week away, the NI Football League has sought and can offer clubs and their supporters further clarification on spectators at matches.

NIFL and our clubs, who have shown great responsibility in their response to Covid-19, will continue to strongly advocate a range of mitigants in tackling the spread of Covid-19 to protect the health and wellbeing of spectators but following further clarification on current guidance it is clear that social distancing is no longer a legal requirement for outdoor venues.

This means the total number permitted to attend matches will be determined by each club's individual risk assessment. When creating risk assessments clubs may consider some of the following mitigants;

• spreading supporters out if ground is not at full capacity
• setting aside designated socially distanced areas
• encouraging face coverings while moving around the stadium
• promote good hand sanitisation
• encourage spectators to support the government vaccination programme
• suggest spectators may wish to take a Covid test before arrival

Clubs will be actively engaging with their local authorities and while the above mitigants would all be seen as examples of how to minimise the risk of spread, none are currently mandatory.

As we found last season the Covid situation is fluid with regulations subject to change but we hope this offers clarity to supporters of the Irish League as we look forward to supporters returning in greater numbers.