RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Argentine government advised this Thursday the protocol for the return of the public to soccer stadiums as from Friday and announced that at least one dose of the vaccine against the coronavirus would be required for those over 18 years of age.
“Attentive to the epidemiological, sanitary situation and the vaccination campaign, the requirement is going to be to have some dose of a vaccine for people over 18 years old. Those under 18 will be able to enter even if they have not been vaccinated”, said the Minister of Health, Carla Vizzotti, at a press conference.
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Just over 63% of Argentines (29.6 million) have at least one dose of the vaccines against the coronavirus, and almost 49% (22 million) have been fully vaccinated.
A 50% capacity will be allowed in each stadium, and only fans of the home team will be allowed to enter, as is customary in the country.
The Minister of Tourism and Sports, Matías Lammens, explained that in the “pilot test” that was carried out with the South American World Cup qualifying match between Argentina and Bolivia on the 13th of this month, fans were not required to be vaccinated because the capacity was 30%, less than the one allowed as of Friday.
The fear here is above all in the popular areas, in the bleachers, where there may be larger crowds and more people together,” said Lammens.
The first local league match in which the public will return will be this Friday in the Buenos Aires city of Mar del Plata between Aldosivi and Unión de Santa Fe.
On Sunday, the Argentine soccer super classic between River Plate and Boca Juniors will be played at the former’s Monumental de Núñez Stadium in Buenos Aires.