July 30 – Rio de Janeiro local authorities will allow fully vaccinated fans to attend live matches in September with stadium capacity limited to 50%.
The Rio authorities want to return to maximum capacity in October, again with entry only for fully vaccinated supporters, who will also be required to wear masks.
When the Maracana hosted the Copa Libertadores final in January, a limited number of fans were allowed in, but they only had to present a negative PCR test. The recent Copa America, with two venues in Rio, was played behind closed doors.
Brazilian league matches have also been played in front of empty stands throughout the pandemic, but last week Flamengo played in front of 5,500 fans against Defensa y Justicia of Argentina in the Copa Libertadores in the Brazilian capital Brasilia after the federal government authorised a limited number of supporters to attend the match.
The reopening in Rio will depend on certain thresholds being met. In a first phase, 77% of the Rio population will need to have received a first dose of the vaccine.
The reopening of stadiums features in the city’s plans for a return to normality in November when inhabitants will no longer need to wear masks outside, except when using public transport or when visiting a doctor or hospital.
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