The cities hosting the last matches of the European Football Championship should take care to monitor the circulation of spectators more closely, even before they arrive at the stadiums and afterwards, in order to avoid its spread. covid-19, recommended today by the World Health Organization (WHO).
"We need to look beyond the stages themselves," said Kathryn Smallwood, a WHO Europe official, when asked about the agency's recommendations ahead of the rise in coronavirus cases in London and St. Petersburg.
The British capital is expected to host the semifinals and finals of the Euro next week, while the quarterfinal match between Switzerland and Spain will take place tomorrow, Friday, in St. Petersburg.
When asked if the Euro can be a "hotbed" of it covid-19WHO Director for Europe Hans Klüge replied: "I hope not, but I can not rule it out."
Many hundreds of cases covid-19 were found in spectators at the Euro Games - mainly Scots returning from London, Finns returning from St. Petersburg, but also spectators at Copenhagen Stadium - who were found to be infected by the highly contagious Delta strain.
Nearly 2.000 people living in Scotland watched the Euro matches while carrying the coronavirus, many of whom were present at the match against England in London on June 18, the Scottish authorities announced on Wednesday.
"What we need to see around the stadiums is how do people get there, do they travel in full bus convoys or do they apply personal protection measures?" Smallwood said.
WHO Europe also asked to check what can "spectators do when they leave the stadiums, do they go to busy bars or pubs?", He added.
Moreover, the WHO called for vigilance in all major events planned for the summer.
"What we do know is that in a case of rising incidence, high concentrations can play the role of multiplier in terms of transmission," Smallwood concluded.
The rise of cases covid-19 has raised concerns about a new wave of infections in Europe in the autumn if citizens are not vaccinated.
"There is concern about an outbreak in the fall, but what we are seeing now is that it may come sooner," she said.
Source: RES-EAP