1st December 2020

Upcoming Harlequins fixtures at The Stoop – Welcoming crowds back safely

Local Residents FAQs

RETURN TO THE STOOP INFORMATION

On Thursday 26th November, the government announced that London will fall within Tier 2 of the Covid-19 regions, meaning Harlequins will be able to host up to 2,000 spectators (and additional operational staff) at The Stoop until further notice, subject to local Council approval and subject to change in government guidelines.

As of yet, no decision has been made by the relevant authorities as to whether alcohol can be served in general seating within the stadium. The Club is working with the authorities and will confirm as soon as we can. As we found at our 5 September Pilot Event vs Bath with over 3,200 people in attendance, we were able to safely deliver the event and saw no major challenges, including the sale or consumption of alcohol.

The Club has also been informed that there will be no South West Tran service for the two matches against Racing 92 on 20th December and Bristol Bears on 26th December. We are therefore in discussions with the RFU to open up additional parking spaces to accommodate visitors to The Stoop and encouraging all supporters who might attend the stadium to walk or cycle wherever possible. In our 5th September Plot Event, we found 17% of attendees came by public transport, so do not believe this to be a major issue.

Fixtures & Capacity

1. What fixtures will be taking place at The Stoop with crowds?

Following government guidelines of outdoor sporting events in Tier 2 areas, Harlequins are able to host crowds at The Stoop of up to 2,000 supporters until further notice, subject to local Council approval and subject to change in government guidelines.

At this stage, the Club is only looking to welcome crowds for the upcoming x5 Men’s and Women’s matches taking place between 12th December and 23rd January. We will be working closely with Richmond Council over the Christmas period to discuss any future matches and crowd numbers.

The upcoming matches at The Stoop are: − Harlequins Women vs Saracens Women, Allianz (Sat 12th December 2020). − Harlequins vs Racing 92, Heineken Champions Cup (Sun 20th December 2020). − Harlequins vs Bristol Bears, Gallagher Premiership (Sat 26th December 2020). − Harlequins vs London Irish, Gallagher Premiership (Sun 10th January 2021). − Harlequins vs Munster, Heineken Champions Cup (Sat 23rd January 2021).

2. What is the capacity of the event?

The government approved outdoor sporting events in Tier 2 areas (where The Stoop stadium is located) allows up to 2,000 spectators. After careful planning, and following a successful Pilot Event held in September for 3,200 socially-distanced spectators and staff, the Club will look to host 2,500 socially distanced spectators and staff into the ground, adhering to strict safety guidelines. This will be made up of 2,000 Harlequins Season Ticket Members and around 500 Harlequins staff/ players/ media/ operational personnel to deliver the event.

3. Is this the first fixture the Club has hosted with crowds at The Stoop since the pandemic?

On 5th September 2020, Harlequins was chosen as the first rugby club to host the first Pilot Test event in front of crowds since March, in a Gallagher Premiership match vs Bath. For this event, 3,200 people were in attendance, sat socially distanced around the stadium following extensive planning to ensure the safety of not only those attending, but also those in our surrounding community. The same safety and security protocols that were so successful in that event have been reviewed and improved on for these upcoming fixtures.

4. Was the Pilot Event seen as a success?

By putting in place the stringent guidelines to ensure the Club could safely welcome 3,200 spectators into the match against Bath, the Club was delighted that there were no reported covid-19 cases from any of those in attendance in the weeks that followed the event. Representatives from Richmond Council, DCMS, the RFU and were all in attendance on the day who all provided their positive feedback as to how the event was run. Neither the Club nor the Council received any issues or complaints from residents either on the day or after the event.

To ensure we continue to do everything we can to improve safety measures to deliver future events successfully, we carried out post-match surveys of those in attendance to see which areas could be improved. The results showed that 97% of attendees felt either ‘safe’ or ‘very safe’ while attending the event.

We also carried out a detailed forensic review across all departments that was also shared with the Council that looked at what went well and areas to be improved across the board.

Safety & Welfare

5. Is it safe to bring fans back to The Stoop?

In August and September, the government (DCMS) approved multiple ‘pilot’ sporting events across the country and across a number of sports, one of which was successfully delivered by Harlequins at our home match against Bath on 5th September.

Harlequins has worked closely with The (RFU), Premiership Rugby (PRL) and other relevant authorities to develop the operational plan to be able to operate the stadium safely with supporters and adhere to strict government guidelines.

The Stoop has now hosted a number of matches since August without supporters, but over 300 operational staff at each event. Not only have these events passed smoothly but have received external acclaim at how well they have been delivered with safety in mind. To be able to deliver these events, a detailed operational review and subsequent plan has been put in place to reconfigure the stadium, change people flow and put safety and welfare to the fore with COVID- 19 in mind. These plans have all been built with the view that we can deliver an event with increased attendance safely.

The number of fans allowed into The Stoop is based on the need to ensure social distancing and mitigate against the risk of COVID transmission. While normally, 14,800 supporters would attend The Stoop, we have created a plan that can safely ensure 2,500 people can attend these upcoming fixtures.

6. Are the players/ staff / supporters COVID-19 tested?

The stadium is carefully segmented into zones to ensure little interaction/ crossover of the various groups present e.g. players and medical team only can go on the pitch/ tunnel areas – the ‘red zone’. These zones are strictly policed. To ensure the health and welfare of players/ coaches etc, they are COVID-19 tested 1-2 x per week.

All staff working at the stadium have their temperature taken every time and complete a welfare survey before coming to The Stadium. Alongside our players/ coaches, all staff also take an online educational course re COVID-19 that they must pass to be able to attend.

The Club has developed strict guidelines for supporters too – all ticket buyers must agree to a wellness questionnaire which strictly lists health conditions that they cannot attend the stadium e.g. if they have a temperature, are shielding, have come into contact with anyone with COVID- 19 in last 14 days.

7. What additional measures are in place to ensure safety / welfare? Below is an overview of the safety measures we have put in place to keep both residents and fans safe. These measures often go above and beyond those outlined in government and SGSA guidance:

• The upcoming fixtures will be fulfilled with the strictest procedures around track and trace, data knowledge, social distancing, hygiene and sanitation, with all attendees accommodated outside. • All access to the site will be strictly governed via health questionnaires in advance of the event and temperature checks on arrival. Prior to attending, all ticket holders will have to take a health and wellness survey to ensure nobody comes to the ground with any symptoms of COVD-19. • Over 500 car parking spaces available at The Stoop and nearby to allow for every individual or groups (permitted under governance) to arrive by car and we will actively promote spectators either walk or drive to not place additional strain on public service. • Attendees will be given pre-determined arrival times to reduce overcrowding outside the ground and be managed to leave the stadium in an orderly manner to avoid queues. • Sanitising stations will be available across the stadium with random temperature checks in operation. • In line with government track and trace, the named owner of the ticket must be attending the match and ID must be shown on entry. • All payments in the stadium will be cashless, with contactless via mobile phone/credit/debit card being promoted. • All spectators will be asked to wear a face mask once inside the ground unless eating or drinking. • Food and beverages will be delivered primarily to supporters in their seat by Harlequins staff via a new ‘Seat Serve’ app. 80% of bars and food outlets will not be open. • Stewards will ensure social distancing is adhered to everywhere in and around the site and supporters only sit in the seat allocated to them. • Any supporter who is required to quarantine under government guidelines, or who shows any symptoms of Covid-19, will not be permitted entry to the ground. • Staffing ratio levels above normal to enforce social distancing and COVID measures. • Toilet provision ration will be above a usual 14,800 capacity match, despite the reduced spectator numbers. • Cleaning and waste collection regime increased. • Assigned entry gates to minimise the build-up of queues. • A revised transport plan focussing on additional parking, cycling and walking to take pressure off Twickenham Station due to social distancing requirement on trains. • All spectators are required to read and sign up to a code of conduct that will be enforced within the stadium. • Staggered arrivals bringing c.25% of spectators into the venue early to reduce the pressure on transport hubs and the surrounding area.

8. What is being done to ensure track and trace is supported should a fan contract Covid-19?

In line government and SGSA guidance, Harlequins will be collecting contact details for all fans before they enter the stadium. We will be able to share this data with track and trace should we need to. The only supporters entering the stadium will be known to Harlequins and be contactable. Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable. There is no ticket transfer function between Season Ticket Members.

9. Will fans be punished for breaching social distancing rules inside the stadium?

Before purchasing tickets, fans will have to confirm they have read and understood the Spectator Code of Conduct which will include a requirement to socially distance at all times in the stadium and to wear face coverings. Any breach of the code of conduct will result in ejection from the stadium.

10. Will fans be punished for breaching social distancing rules outside the stadium?

If residents are concerned that the law is being broken before, during or after the match they should contact the police on 111. If it is an emergency or life threatening situation you should dial 999.

If there is a stewarding or operational issue then residents should contact the Harlequins Match Day Hotline on 07974 246 539. The hotline is in operation three hours pre and three hours post kick-off.

11. How will entertainment, food and beverages be managed in the stadium?

To help minimise the movement and interaction of supporters, 80% of stadium food and beverage outlets will be shut for the event. Harlequins will introduce a new ‘seat serve’ app for supporters to have their food and drink delivered to their seat. This will be in operation from when supporters arrive at the stadium until all food and beverages cease to be served – at the final whistle. The stadium is cashless.

All usual tables/ benches in the South West Corner fan area of the stadium will be removed. All live music and entertainment usually present at Harlequins matches will not be present. Supporters will be encouraged to sit in their seat the entirety of their time at The Stoop, with entertainment on the big screens in the stadium to watch plus sound system

Transport

12. How will spectators be getting to the stadium?

As part of the planning process with the local authority we have had to submit a transport plan showing how we will help South Western Railways and Transport for London spread the burden on the transport network and support public safety. Our research from the Pilot Event from the Bath fixture showed that only 17% of our attendees travelled by public transport to the fixture (c.500 people).

The transport plan outlines the various travel options available to fans for the match, including increased car parking to reduce the numbers of fans travelling through Twickenham Rail Station, plus encouraging spectators to walk and cycle to the venue. We have been informed that for the two Men’s matches vs Racing 92 and Bristol Bears on 29th and 26th December, there will be no South West Trains services due to planned engineering works, reducing the number of attendees travelling from Twickenham/Whitten to The Stoop.

This is supported by a clear spectator communications plan prior to sale, at point of sale and pre match to ask fans to avoid Twickenham Rail Station where possible and seek alternative arrangements. We are doing this to prevent the build-up of crowds around the station.

13. Will public transport be safe to use?

The RFU and Harlequins have worked closely with Network Rail and South Western Railways as part of the transport planning process. Train operators, like all businesses, need to adhere to social distancing guidelines and as such capacities will be limited, hence the extensive pre-event communications for spectators to use alternative transport routes. Face coverings are a mandatory requirement on public transport.

14. Will supporters all arrive and leave the stadium at the same time?

Harlequins provide all supporters with a designated 15 minute window to arrive at the stadium and a designated entry gate – this will aide spacing people out and avoiding queues. The stadium will open 2 hours before kick-off. Supporters will be asked to stay in their seats until the final whistle. They will then be managed to leave in a controlled fashion by our stewards e.g. row by row/ stand by stand.

Tickets

15. Who is attending the matches?

2,500 Harlequins Season Ticket Members and accredited broadcast/media and matchday staff will attend the match. No away supporters. All 2,500 attendees are known to Harlequins and have provided contact details for track and trace.

16. Will residents’ tickets be available for the fixtures?

With a very limited number of fans allowed back in the stadium, Harlequins will only allow Harlequins Season Ticket Members and staff to attend the Men’s fixtures, meaning there will be no tickets available for residents via the ballot for these matches. However the Harlequins Women fixture vs Saracens Women will be available for general sale through the Harlequins ticketing website.

Fan behaviour

17. What will Harlequins do to ensure there is no anti-social behaviour impacting local resident’s safety?

There will be the same number of stewards and staff on duty for these matches as for a capacity fixture. These stewards will be there to help enforce social distancing and prevent anti-social behaviour.

As of yet, no decision has been made by the relevant authorities as to whether alcohol can be served in general seating within the stadium. The Club is working with the authorities and will confirm as soon as we can.

The stadium operates a Challenge 25 alcohol service policy, which is prompted and recorded through our till system. All staff are trained on alcohol service with a supervisor responsible for every bar. An SIA accredited steward is positioned at every bar to verify age and monitor responsible drinking, in addition any intoxicated individual is not allowed entry into the venue or to purchase alcohol. Free drinking water is promoted and offered throughout the venue.

Communication

18. How does Harlequins communicate with supporters/ residents/ ticket holders?

Harlequins has developed an extensive programme of communication with key stakeholder groups to ensure everyone is fully informed and questions answered. For information 3 pieces of recent communication to our supporters:

1. An update from our CEO on the return of supporters: https://www.quins.co.uk/news/an-update-from-our-ceo-on-the-return-of-supporters- to-the-stoop 2. Announcement of ticket ballot: https://www.quins.co.uk/news/welcoming- supporters-back-to-the-stoop-season-ticket-member-ballot-update 3. FAQ’s/ rules of ballot: http://www.quins.co.uk/uploads/160649251340880/original.pdf

In the build up to the event, Harlequins will continue to communicate clearly with all ticket buyers to remind them of rules, regulations and COVID-19 related precautions.

19. How are the Harlequins working with the local authority?

We are working closely with Richmond Council on our plans to ensure the safety and wellbeing of spectators and local residents. The Council’s Director of Public Health is reviewing our plans and monitoring the current levels of Coronavirus in the borough very closely. The safety of fans and residents is our priority, if it becomes unsafe to hold a fixture with spectators the match may be played without fans in attendance. We are in constant communications with the UK Government, Richmond Council and Public Health and will act upon their advice.

20. Will Harlequins share information with local residents?

Harlequins will publish all information relating to the pilot event on its website for anyone to be able to access. Further to this communication, Harlequins will contact our known local resident associations – anyone wishing to sign up to join this list should contact the Club at [email protected].