Lisbon (AFP)
Sanitary bubble and tournament under surveillance: like the two Atlético Madrid players contaminated and isolated, the teams playing in the "Final 8" of the Champions League from Wednesday in Lisbon are subject to a drastic protocol enacted by UEFA.
- What is the health situation in Lisbon?
At the end of June, Portugal was among the European countries that recorded the most new positive cases for the coronavirus according to its population of 10 million inhabitants, leading to a partial reconfinement of the northern suburbs of Lisbon. But while several countries are currently experiencing an upsurge in the epidemic, the number of new contagions declared every day in Portugal has been falling for five weeks.
The health authorities identified last week nearly 180 active sources of contamination, half of which in the region of Lisbon and the Tagus Valley. The capital and its suburbs therefore still remain subject to greater restrictions than the rest of the country, even if the partial re-containment measures of some twenty neighborhoods were lifted at the end of July.
In Lisbon, gatherings of more than ten people are prohibited, when the limit is set at 20 people in the rest of the territory and shops and cafes must close at 8:00 p.m. (6:00 p.m. GMT).
- How many screenings before matches? -
All participants (players, accompanying persons ...) are tested on D-3 or D-2 before leaving their country. A new test is performed at the tournament venue the day before the first match. The results are communicated at least 6 hours before the kick-off of the first match.
UEFA advocates the use of a Covid-19 screening test using the RT-PCR method or another method deemed equivalent.
- What happens if a player has symptoms? -
Each participant who develops symptoms indicating a potential Covid-19 infection should immediately self-isolate at their hotel and contact local health authorities.
- What happens if several players are infected? -
To be able to play, a team will need to have 13 healthy players, including a goalkeeper. If a team does not have thirteen footballers on the previously submitted "A list" of eligible players, UEFA "may authorize the rescheduling of the match".
If the match cannot be rescheduled, the team that cannot field 13 players "will be held responsible" and have the match lost by a score of 3 to 0.
- Who can access the stadium in each match? -
Teams can consist of a maximum of 45 people per match. The official delegation of each team (president, board members, etc.) must include a maximum of 10 people.
Anyone entering the stadium on match day or the day before must have their temperature taken. In addition, she must complete an epidemiological form, disinfect her hands and wear a mask.
- How to disinfect stadiums and changing rooms? -
Social distancing and air circulation should be optimized in locker rooms. Depending on the size of the changing rooms, other spaces may be made available for staff, equipment or physiotherapists.
In addition, saunas, ice baths, swimming pools or Jacuzzis must be closed or emptied and all fitness or physiotherapy equipment must be disinfected before and after each use.
Changing rooms, player access areas and sidelines must be disinfected on the eve of matches, between each training session and before the match.
- What protocol for the referees? -
Referees, UEFA officials and stewards must observe strict social distancing during their travel and wear a mask. Referees and officials are subject to a testing program.
- What protocol for ball collectors? -
For fields surrounded by athletics tracks, 6 to 8 ball collectors can be deployed. In the absence of an athletics track, 4 to 6 ball collectors can be positioned. They must wear a mask, leave the ball on the ground as much as possible, disinfect their hands before and after the warm-up as well as before and after each half, and maintain a distance of at least 2 meters with the players at any time.
All balls must be disinfected at the end of the warm-up if these balls are used during the match and at half-time.
© 2020 AFP