A capacity crowd is expected to be able to attend the final of the 2021 World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre, organisers have confirmed.
The Sheffield tournament will be the first sporting competition included in Government plans for a pilot programme enabling the safe return of mass gatherings and indoor events as lockdown restrictions ease in England.
The World Snooker Tour provided an update for ticket holders on Wednesday setting out plans for the event, which runs from April 17 to May 3.
All of those attending will have to take a Covid-19 test before they arrive, and must show confirmation of a negative result to enter the venue, as well as having another five days afterwards at home.
Capacity will be set at 33 per cent for the first round, from April 17 to 21. There will be â1m+â social distancing observed between different ticket groups/bookings, while face coverings will have to be worn inside, including when sat down in the theatre.
The number of spectators will be increased to 50 per cent for the second-round matches from April 22, increasing to 75 per cent for both the quarter-finals and semi-finals.
The WST said social distancing âwill not be expected under this capacity although some mitigation procedures will be required to reduce the risk of transmission including wearing face coverings in the venueâ.
For the final on May 2 and 3, it is hoped the venue âwill operate without any capacity restrictionâ at around 980 seats, with organisers accepting âit will not be possible to avoid different parties sitting alongside one anotherâ.
Social distancing measures would also not be expected, although âmitigation proceduresâ such as wearing face coverings in the venue could be necessary.
Under the pilot scheme, no children will be allowed at The Crucible, only those over 18.
Any adults deemed clinically extremely vulnerable or who are pregnant will also not be permitted to attend, so will be offered either the option to transfer their ticket to the 2022 tournament or claim a full refund.
Ronnie OâSullivan will be bidding for a seventh title when he defends his Crucible crown, which he won with victory over Kyren Wilson in August.
The delayed 2020 tournament had initially been open to fans on the first day.
However, it then went behind closed doors amid tighter coronavirus restrictions before a limited number of spectators were eventually allowed back in for the final two days of the championship when OâSullivan defeated Wilson 18-8.
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