The UK Government is planning on introducing ‘COVID-19 certificates’ for sporting events to “help get people back into stadiums.”
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden – whose department oversees sport in Britain – confirmed the plans whilst talking to Sky News on Friday morning (March 19).
Dowden stated that he was working with fellow minister Michael Gove on piloting a COVID certificate system – which could be launched as part of a plan to ensure “the return of the things that we love.”
The Secretary of State spoke about the implementation of one-way systems and social distancing in stadiums when fans return, adding: “Another thing that we are considering is a COVID certification, and we’ll be testing whether we can use COVID certification to help facilitate the return of sports.”
When prompted to explain the differences between a COVID certificate and a vaccine passport, Dowden said the Government was still “working through those details.”
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“We’ve been clear there won’t be a ‘vaccine passport’; the Prime Minister has made that very clear,” Dowden stated.
“What we have said, though, is that in order to prove you’ve had a vaccine or you’ve had a successful negative test… we’re looking at ways to facilitate help proving that.
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“That may be one of the things that could help ensure we can get more people back into stadiums.”
Culture Secretary @OliverDowden tells @skygillian that govt is considering 'COVID certification' to help facilitate the return of sporting events by "proving people have had a vaccine", but says "there won't be a vaccine passport".
Under the current Government roadmap to exit lockdown, sports fans are set to return to stadiums from May 17.
From this date, larger performances and sporting events in indoor venues may be able to welcome crowds of either 1,000 people or operate at half-capacity (whichever is lower).
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Dowden previously confirmed that the FA Cup – on May 15 – was being earmarked as a potential event in which fans could return in bigger numbers.
Restrictions on spectators are expected to be lifted further – or even fully – on June 21.
Dowden said it was this date on which the Government was hoping to get “as much back as we possibly can” – including fans in “significant numbers”.
Wembley Stadium is scheduled to host fixtures at the UEFA European Football Championships this year – with the tournament taking place in June and July.
UEFA has asked the 12 host cities – which include London, Dublin and Glasgow – to submit a plan and realistic assessment of stadium capacities, with big decisions set to be made on the tournament in April.
Pat Regan at the Fairfield Social Club – a brilliantly unhinged evening of standup comedy
Clementine Hall
There’s a particular kind of chaos that only Pat Regan can deliver, and the recently re-recognised Fairfield Social Club got the full force of it last night.
Making his Manchester debut as part of the ‘A Lovely Time’ series at the equally as lovely Fairfield Social Club, the New York comic, writer, and podcast host arrived with the energy of someone who had already lived through three emotional breakdowns before breakfast and somehow still had the worst to come.
Known for his work on HBO’s Hacks and the cult-favourite podcast Seek Treatment with fellow comic Catherine Cohen, Regan’s stand-up feels less like your traditional comedy set and more like being trapped in the world’s funniest group chat.
The perfectly intimate room beneath Fairfield’s railway arches was packed with adoring fans who were immediately on side as Regan launched into stories about traumatic trips to Paris, Grindr dates, massage tables and having crushes at the gym.
The audience was in the palm of his slightly sweaty hands (don’t worry, he’ll be fine with me saying so), laughing at every awkward punchline and self-deprecating anecdote.
The material is nothing groundbreaking, but this is what makes it so deeply hilarious; never before has shopping for the perfect pair of jeans been so serious and unserious at the same time.
There was laughter rolling through the venue for virtually the entire set, and after an hour of never-ending quips and jokes, we were left wanting more.
And the best part is, it won’t be long until we get more from this place, and it’s no wonder they’re starting to get the hosting plaudits they deserve.
It’s safe to say Fairfield Social Club has become one of Manchester’s most exciting homes for alternative comedy, and this felt like exactly the sort of booking that justifies its growing reputation.
By the time Regan left the stage, the audience looked equal parts exhausted and delighted. An absolutely classy evening indeed.
Find out about what else is on at the Fairfield Social Club HERE.
First-ever JD Wetherspoon pub to open at Manchester Airport
Danny Jones
In news that we feel many Mancs and travellers all-round have been waiting on for a long time, the well-known British chain, JD Wetherspoon, will be opening its first-ever pub at Manchester Airport.
That’s right: soon that first airport pint of the holiday could actually be a relatively cheap one.
While Wetherspoons are no strangers to popping up in terminals across the UK and Ireland, they’ve never done so here in Manchester despite having three, yes THREE, in Gatwick alone.
Not for much longer, though, as soon T2 will be lending more than 3,000 square feet of its prime leisure and retail real estate to a new Greater Manchester ‘Spoons’.
Posting on social media, the airport wrote: “Wetherspoon comes to Manchester Airport this September! The pub will be located in the Terminal 2 Departures lounge and will have more than 300 seats.
“This will become the final major food and drink venue to open its doors as part of our decade-long £1.3bn transformation of Terminal 2. It will be named ‘The Belle Vue’, in a nod to Manchester’s historic showground [now a sports complex and leisure hub].
“It was a focal point for social life in the city from the Victorian period up until 2020, when the final event was held at Belle Vue stadium. The design of the pub is inspired by the history of Belle Vue and the sporting culture of the North West of England. We look forward to welcoming you all in September!”
While a lot of money has been pumped into T2’s refurb as a whole over the past few years, it remains unclear just how much this particular new addition will cost; we do know that great sums were set aside for the launch of the Great Northern Market last year.
The inaugural Manchester Airport Spoons is just the latest in a series of major renovations.
As mentioned, the company already operate several up and down the country – 10 airport pubs, to be specific – but this will be the first in the North West.
Speaking on the news, JD Wetherspoon chief executive John Hutson said in a statement: “We are looking forward to opening at Manchester Airport. We believe our new pub will prove popular with travellers of all ages and be an asset to the new terminal.”
With Manchester Airport adding a dozen new routes to its roster this summer, you can expect to see even more people flying in and out than ever – no doubt having already polished off a cut-price pint or two beforehand.
The Manc -
19th March 2021 
