The Government today announced that a maximum of 4,000 fans will be allowed at sporting events in the lowest-risk areas when the national lockdown ends next week.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "In Tiers one and two, spectator sports and business events will be free to resume inside and outside with capacity limits and social distancing, providing more consistency with indoor performances in theatres and concert halls.”
The lockdown will end on December 2, and a new three-tier system of Covid-19 restrictions will put in place.
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The North East has had among the highest rates of infection in recent months, but it is not yet clear what tier the region will be placed into from next week. If it is placed in tier three, the highest, then no fans will be allowed back inside stadiums at this stage.
However, up to 4,000 fans will be allowed into tier one areas – and up to 2,000 in tier two areas.
Football has been played throughout the recent lockdown from Premier League level down to National League level, but no fans have been allowed inside stadiums all season, with games being played behind-closed-doors.
St James’s Park, which has a capacity of just over 52,000, last hosted fans on February 29, when Newcastle played out a goalless draw against Burnley. The club has drawn up plans for the safe return of a limited number of supporters.