Grab your scarf! Up to 2,000 fans are allowed at Queensland sports from Saturday after the state recorded just one coronavirus case overnight
- The QLD government will allow stadiums to host small crowds of 2000 people
- Changes will be in place from Saturday for a number of AFL and NRL matches
- While stadiums in New South Wales will open at 25 per cent capacity from July 1
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
The Queensland government will allow sporting stadiums to host crowds of up to 2000 people from this Saturday.
Changes will come into place in time for a number of NRL and AFL matches taking place across the state this weekend.
Deputy Premier and Health Minister Steven Miles told parliament they would trial the the limited crowds after lobbying from the sporting community, the Courier Mail reported.
Football fans rejoice! The Queensland state government is opening stadiums to crowds of 2000 people from Saturday
Football teams have played to empty stadiums since sport was allowed to recommend on May 28
'That number might not be reached but it is an acknowledgment of how well the codes and the fans have done their part in controlling the spread of COVID-19,' he said on Wednesday.
'Like a great game of football, we have to ensure our defences. But we also have to make our breaks when we can.
'Queensland has earned this small step back to normal.'
The change of policy means some AFL fans will be able to attend the Brisbane Lions game against the West Coast Eagles at the Gabba on Saturday night.
Changes will come into place in time for a number of NRL and AFL matches taking place across the state this weekend
The NRL and AFL have been playing to empty stadiums for weeks due to restrictions around large gatherings because of COVID-19
However of the 2000 seats available, only 100 tickets will be up for grabs for the general public.
The Lions have allocated 1250 tickets to members who pledged support during COVID-19, with a further 400 set aside for corporate sponsors.
Fans will also be allowed to watch the Gold Coast Suns play the Adelaide Crows at the Metricon Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
For NRL fans, their first chance will come when the Gold Coast Titans face off against the St George Illawarra Dragons at the Suncorp stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Titans CEO Steve Mitchell said he's excited to welcome crowds back.
Fans will be able to attend Round six of the NRL competition when the Gold Coast Titans face off against the St George Illawarra Dragons at the Suncorp stadium on Saturday afternoon
'The past few months have been tough on everyone, and the hard work done by the NRL in getting our competition restarted gave us a feeling that life was finally returning to normal,' Mitchell said.
'Thanks to the Premier and her government in containing the virus in Queensland, we are now at the stage where we are able to take the next step on the journey back to normal life.'
This will be the first match played in front of fans since COVID-19 restrictions came into place after round two of the NRL in March.
Queensland recorded just one new case of COVID-19 overnight, with a woman in isolation at a hotel testing positive for coronavirus.
Fake fans were created by beer company XXXX to fill stadiums during sporting matches left vacant due to COVID-19
There are only five remaining active cases in the state out of a total 1066 cases since the pandemic began.
Across the border New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian confirmed the state's sporting venues will be allowed to operate with a quarter of the capacity occupied from July 1.
The announcement came just days after the federal government ticked off on crowds of up to 10,000 people social distancing in stadiums.
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