India-England series may see fans returning with latest Sports Ministry SOP allowing 50% entrance

In the Standard Operating Procedures released by the Indian Sports Ministry on Sunday, it has been confirmed that outdoor sporting stadiums in the country will be allowed to operate at 50% spectator capacity.

If that comes to pass, the India-England series, set to take off from February 5 in Chennai before the caravan moves to Ahmedabad and Pune, may see spectators returning for the first time with international cricket also making its way back in India.

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Currently, the Indian Super League (ISL) – which is the only major sporting event that has been staged since the pandemic outbreak – is being held behind closed doors but the spectators are not allowed inside.

But the latest SOP means the India-England series alongside the Indian Premier League may see fans filling half the stadiums from now on.

“The spectators at the sporting event would be in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. For outdoor events, spectators will be allowed up to 50%of the total capacity of the stadium,” read the circular issued by the Sports Ministry.

CCTV to monitor overcrowding at sports venues in India

“CCTV monitoring may be planned for larger events to detect overcrowding at entry and exit gates and seating areas.

“The sports competitions may resume, provided no orders of the local authorities prohibit such facilities to resume operation i.e. micro-containment zones and are meant to serve as safety guidelines for organizing the sports competition in consonance with any other guidelines issued by the State Government while granting such permission.”

The India-England tour is set to kick-off with the Test series on February 5 in Chennai and, if the current guidelines have anything to go by, the Chepauk and the Motera Stadium could host 25,000 and 55,000 fans at the venue respectively.