The Dundee derby is set to go ahead in front of a packed Dens Park after Nicola Sturgeon announced that Covid restrictions on outdoor events will be scrapped.
From January 17, supporters will be able to return to stadia without a cap on numbers, with the 500 capacity limit lifted.
However, there are two potential stumbling blocks for fans to negotiate to ensure they are not turned away from the match.
New procedures
Firstly, when restrictions are lifted, clubs will have to check the vaccine certification of at least 50% of match attendees rather than the previous 20%, or at least 1000 people – whichever figure is higher.
NEWS | Joint Response Group Update – Tuesday, 11 January.https://t.co/fSrmY79txi
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As a result, with the game approaching sell-out status, around 5000 fans face vaccine status checks before entry.
In addition, from Monday, the definition of “fully vaccinated” for the purpose of vaccine passports will include a booster dose if an individual’s second dose was more than four months ago.
What has First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said?
Speaking in Parliament earlier, the First Minister said: “I can confirm today that the attendance limit of 500 at large-scale outdoor events will be lifted from Monday January 17.
“That means, for example, that spectators will be permitted again at major outdoor sporting events, including football fixtures scheduled for early next week and the forthcoming Six Nations rugby matches.”
Scottish Professional Football League chief executive Neil Doncaster welcomed the lifting of restrictions, saying: “Today’s announcement is a sensible decision that will be welcomed by clubs and hundreds of thousands of fans across the country.
“Football is not the same without supporters, and I know how much it will mean to them to be back in stadiums watching matches again.
“This news will also be a real financial boost for our 42 member clubs, who have faced an incredibly challenging set of circumstances since the pandemic began.”
