AN UPDATE FROM HARLEQUIN FC 1st December 2020
Welcoming supporters back to The Stoop safely
I last wrote to you in advance of our home fixture against Bath, when Harlequins were chosen as Rugby Union’s first event to include fans since lockdown commenced in March. We were incredibly proud and delighted as a Club and for our local community to be chosen for, and successfully deliver the biggest sporting Pilot Event in the country, with 3,200 people in attendance.
It was through the exhaustive planning of our team and the ongoing support from Richmond Council that ensured this event was delivered successfully and most importantly, safely for not only those in attendance but for our local residents and wider Richmond community as well. Over 97% of attendees told us they felt either ‘safe’ or very safe’ and we can confirm that there were no confirmed Covid-19 cases from any attendees in the weeks following the event.
As you will no doubt be aware, on Thursday 26th November, the government announced that London will fall within Tier 2 of the Covid-19 regions, meaning Harlequins will be now be able to host up to 2,000 people at The Stoop (plus operational staff) until further notice, subject to local Council approval and subject to any changes in government guidelines.
We are therefore looking to welcome supporters back in controlled numbers, and under strict safety guidelines, for our upcoming Men’s fixtures vs Racing 92 (20th Dec), Bristol Bears (26th Dec), London Irish (10th Jan), Munster (23rd Jan) and the Harlequins Women fixture vs Saracens Women (12th Dec). We will review the situation and develop a plan for later games in early January.
We are still working closely with the Council to review the extensive measures that have remained in place throughout all our matches held behind closed doors over the past few months. These matches are held in line with government guidelines, to ensure that future events are held to the highest safety standards for all. I am delighted to say that feedback from the Pilot Event on 5th September and all our matches held behind closed doors has been overwhelmingly positive and have proved to be an excellent test of our systems and processes to ensure the safety and welfare for everyone involved.
As we did ahead of the Pilot Event, ahead of these upcoming fixtures, we wanted to share with you some of the safety measures we have in place to allay any concerns there may be about the return of reduced crowds to The Stoop. You can find further information in our FAQ document attached to this which I hope answers the majority of your questions that may immediately arise. We are committed to working together with you to ensure that we deliver our events safety, with you in mind and to put our Club at the heart of the local community. As ever, may I offer that if you have any questions, concerns or comments, please do not hesitate to get in contact via [email protected].
Kind Regards,
Laurie Dalrymple, Harlequins Chief Executive Office Page 1 of 3
Key Information – Further Information in FAQ Document
Fixture Details • Where: The Stoop, Twickenham • When: − Sat 12th Dec (3pm) Harlequins Women vs Saracens Women, Allianz Premier 15s − Sun 20th Dec (1pm) Harlequins vs Racing 92, Heineken Champions Cup − Sat 26th Dec (2pm) Harlequins vs Bristol Bears, Gallagher Premiership − Sun 10th Jan (3pm) Harlequins vs London Irish, Gallagher Premiership − Sat 23rd Jan (5.30pm) Harlequins vs Munster, Heineken Champions Cup • Details: Government approved live sporting events to allow 2,000 socially-distanced supporters (in addition to operational staff, players/coaches and media) into the ground, adhering to strict safety guidelines
Extensive Additional Safety & Welfare Measures in Place at The Stoop Below you can find details of the measures in place to ensure the successful and safe delivery these fixtures, building on the successful Pilot Event on 5th September 2020. • Procedures: The Club has robust procedures already in place following a number of successful fixtures at The Stoop behind closed doors with 300+ people in attendance (incl. players/coaches, operational staff, media/broadcast). • COVID-19 Testing: Premiership Rugby test over 1,000 players and club staff weekly. As a Club, Harlequins has only had just 1 positive test since weekly testing began on 6th July – we test our players and staff 1-2 times per week. • COVID-19 Health Assessment: 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 COVID-19. • Stadium Access Denial: 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. • Track & Trace: 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. The only people attending the event will be known Harlequins supporters e.g. Season Ticket Members. They will need to show photo ID to be admitted. • Travel to The Stoop: Over 600 car parking spaces available at The Stoop and nearby to allow for supporters to arrive by car and we will actively promote spectators either walk or drive to not place additional strain on public service. Of the 2,500 supporters, less than 500 are expected to arrive by public transport.
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• Arrival / Departure Management: 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. • Promoting Welfare: Sanitising stations will be available across the stadium with random temperature checks in operation. Communication to supporters in advance and on match day re COVID-19 precautions and health/ welfare best practise. There will be extensive signage, one way flow markers and use of big screens and tannoy to promote social distancing across the stadium. • Minimising contact: Stewards will ensure social distancing is adhered to everywhere in and around the site and supporters only sit in the seat allocated to them. All payments in the stadium will be cashless, with contactless via mobile phone/credit/debit card being promoted. All tickets are print at home. • Face masks: All spectators will be asked to wear a face mask once inside the ground unless eating or drinking. • Entertainment: Our usual match day fan entertainment programme will be drastically reduced with no live music, mascots, or any activity around the stadium. We will use the big screen and tannoy for fan entertainment in their seats. • Code of Conduct: Before purchasing a ticket to the match, supporters will be asked to read and agree to the new which you can read here: Supporter Code of Conduct.
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