Virus was Direct Cause of Death for 89% of Italian Covid-19 Victims

Italy’s sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora hopes that sports fans would be able to enter football stadiums come September, but not before.

Vincenzo stated to the Italian Senate that authorities are still devising a plan to manage the flow in and out of stadiums while respecting physical distancing measures.

The top two divisions of the Italian league, Serie A and B, restarted in June and all matches have been played without spectators due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

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The season is due to finish in early August and there had been some hope that fans could be allowed back before then.

"For the reopening of the stadiums we believe we must continue along the cautious line that has been followed so far," said Spadafora.

"We are working hard with the federation and the league so that in September, at the start of the new season, there is a way to reopen the stadiums to the public."

Spadafora said that while stadiums could accommodate several thousands fans comfortably, there were still risks associated with managing the flow.

"The danger would be to allow 10,000 or 12,000 spectators to enter in the same place," he said. "It would be necessary to understand how to manage this flow." 

(Writer: Brian Homewood, Angelo Amante | Editor: Giles Elgood, Ken Ferris) 

Source: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-italy-study/virus-was-direct-cause-of-death-for-89-of-italian-covid-19-victims-idUSKCN24H2VZ

https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-soccer-italy/italy-sports-minister-hopes-fans-can-return-to-stadiums-in-september-idUKKCN24H31Z