Hampshire's Ageas Bowl has been empty since Karl Abbott's 18-wicket haul there against Somerset in September 2019 [Alamy photo]
Ten major governing bodies and venues have written to prime minister Boris Johnson to appeal for action ahead of all restrictions being lifted from June 21.
The England and Wales Cricket Board have appealed to prime minister Boris Johnson for the introduction of Covid certificates to help bring grounds back to 100 per cent capacity this summer.
Per the government roadmap, all restrictions are due to be lifted from June 21 meaning, theoretically, that venues could be full.
Currently, matches in England are being played behind closed doors. From May 17, attendances will be capped at 25 per cent until a full lifting of provisions the following month, with social distancing measures remaining in place.
An open letter, penned to Mr Johnson, Labour leader Keir Starmer, the Scottish National Party's Ian Blackford, Ed Davey of the Liberal Democrats and Liz Saville-Roberts of Plaid Cymru, from 10 of the leading sporting governing bodies and venues says only a certification process can ensure the safe return of spectators when the regulations allow.
The Premier League, The Football Association, Lawn Tennis Association, Wimbledon, Rugby Football Union, Rugby Football League, English Football League, Scottish Professional Football League and Silverstone Circuit, along with the ECB, have put their names to the document which calls for immediate action.
The plea asks the government to move quickly to develop the system, which would see fans present a negative Covid test or an antibody test alongside a vaccination certification to gain entry to an event, "to deliver the great sporting summer the whole nation craves".
Governing bodies are asking for clarity as soon as possible to ensure they can plan effectively ahead of a busy period of elite sport.
A series of upcoming events will be used as part of the Events Research Programme (ERP) to trial to return of fans to venues, including the World Snooker Championships at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre, the Carabao Cup and FA Cup finals at Wembley Stadium and three mass participation runs at Hatfield House.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has ruled out Covid certificates being part of the third step of reopening from May 17, but plans thereafter have yet to be confirmed.
"It is important that we have certainty as soon as possible on the form this guidance will take so we can plan efficiently and effectively with many big sporting events scheduled for late June and onwards," the letter read.
"The return of fans will give a huge boost to millions who enjoy a day out at a sporting event with their friends and families and be of great benefit to the economy.
"It is right that every possible action is considered to secure this outcome as soon as possible, but only for as long as an unrestricted return is considered unsafe to fans, matchday staff and the wider public.
"This includes investigating how a Covid certification arrangement could reduce and then safely remove the requirement for social distancing.
Assessment
"There are many issues to be addressed including how the technology would work and its ease of use at major events, for both the attendees and the organisers.
"All of our sports can see the benefit that a Covid certification process offers in getting more fans safely back to their sport as quickly as possible. We know that our stadia can only be fully filled with an assurance process.
They added: "Based on these principles, we support the review of the use of covid certification for major events. Any final decision on their application should follow an assessment of the evidence gathered in the forthcoming ERP trials.
"We look forward to working with government and all interested parties, including our stakeholders and fans, to deliver the great sporting summer the whole nation craves."
Speaking ahead of the new domestic cricket season, ECB managing director of country Neil Snowball said the governing body were braced for restrictions to remain in place in some form during the campaign.
"We'll do whatever we're asked to do to make sure we can get the maximum number of people back," said Snowball. "The ideal combination would be some kind of certification, with some kind of social distancing and probably wearing masks and we'll do that to get as many people in as possible."
Given the uncertainty over when grounds will return to full capacity, counties have been asked to make financial forecasts based on 50 per cent crowds being possible during the 2021 season.
Fans were again absent for the beginning of the campaign, having been locked out of all international, Bob Willis Trophy and T20 Blast matches last year. The ECB's initial projections estimate £200 million has been lost from the game due to the absence of supporters.
The England and Wales Cricket Board have appealed to prime minister Boris Johnson for the introduction of Covid certificates to help bring grounds back to 100 per cent capacity this summer.
Per the government roadmap, all restrictions are due to be lifted from June 21 meaning, theoretically, that venues could be full.
Currently, matches in England are being played behind closed doors. From May 17, attendances will be capped at 25 per cent until a full lifting of provisions the following month, with social distancing measures remaining in place.
An open letter, penned to Mr Johnson, Labour leader Keir Starmer, the Scottish National Party's Ian Blackford, Ed Davey of the Liberal Democrats and Liz Saville-Roberts of Plaid Cymru, from 10 of the leading sporting governing bodies and venues says only a certification process can ensure the safe return of spectators when the regulations allow.
The Premier League, The Football Association, Lawn Tennis Association, Wimbledon, Rugby Football Union, Rugby Football League, English Football League, Scottish Professional Football League and Silverstone Circuit, along with the ECB, have put their names to the document which calls for immediate action.
The plea asks the government to move quickly to develop the system, which would see fans present a negative Covid test or an antibody test alongside a vaccination certification to gain entry to an event, "to deliver the great sporting summer the whole nation craves".
Governing bodies are asking for clarity as soon as possible to ensure they can plan effectively ahead of a busy period of elite sport.
A series of upcoming events will be used as part of the Events Research Programme (ERP) to trial to return of fans to venues, including the World Snooker Championships at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre, the Carabao Cup and FA Cup finals at Wembley Stadium and three mass participation runs at Hatfield House.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has ruled out Covid certificates being part of the third step of reopening from May 17, but plans thereafter have yet to be confirmed.
"It is important that we have certainty as soon as possible on the form this guidance will take so we can plan efficiently and effectively with many big sporting events scheduled for late June and onwards," the letter read.
"The return of fans will give a huge boost to millions who enjoy a day out at a sporting event with their friends and families and be of great benefit to the economy.
"It is right that every possible action is considered to secure this outcome as soon as possible, but only for as long as an unrestricted return is considered unsafe to fans, matchday staff and the wider public.
"This includes investigating how a Covid certification arrangement could reduce and then safely remove the requirement for social distancing.
Assessment
"There are many issues to be addressed including how the technology would work and its ease of use at major events, for both the attendees and the organisers.
"All of our sports can see the benefit that a Covid certification process offers in getting more fans safely back to their sport as quickly as possible. We know that our stadia can only be fully filled with an assurance process.
They added: "Based on these principles, we support the review of the use of covid certification for major events. Any final decision on their application should follow an assessment of the evidence gathered in the forthcoming ERP trials.
"We look forward to working with government and all interested parties, including our stakeholders and fans, to deliver the great sporting summer the whole nation craves."
Speaking ahead of the new domestic cricket season, ECB managing director of country Neil Snowball said the governing body were braced for restrictions to remain in place in some form during the campaign.
"We'll do whatever we're asked to do to make sure we can get the maximum number of people back," said Snowball. "The ideal combination would be some kind of certification, with some kind of social distancing and probably wearing masks and we'll do that to get as many people in as possible."
Given the uncertainty over when grounds will return to full capacity, counties have been asked to make financial forecasts based on 50 per cent crowds being possible during the 2021 season.
Fans were again absent for the beginning of the campaign, having been locked out of all international, Bob Willis Trophy and T20 Blast matches last year. The ECB's initial projections estimate £200 million has been lost from the game due to the absence of supporters.
