10,000 Sunderland fans who attended Lincoln match at Stadium of Light asked to take covid tests

Sunderland City Council has issued a Covid test reminder to all Sunderland AFC supporters who attended the semi-final match against Lincoln City at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, May 22.

The Council are asking fans to take a follow up Lateral Flow Test today, Wednesday May 26 or tomorrow to avoid the spread of coronavirus.

A total of 9,971 fans were in attendance at the match last weekend, as supporters returned for the first time since March 2020.

The Black Cats trailed 2-0 after the first leg of the semi-final play offs on May 19 before securing two clear goals during Saturday’s match.

Visitors, Lincoln City managed to boot in the the vital goal during the 56th minute, winning the semi-final 2-3 on aggregate.

Council bosses are now encouraging fans to take their Covid tests following the mass gathering.

The advice comes after the Council reported that a ‘very small number’ of confirmed cases of the Indian variant of coronavirus have been recorded on Wearside.

In a statement online, a Sunderland City Council spokesperson said: “Were you at Sunderland AFC Stadium of Light on Saturday for the Play Off?“Remember to do your follow up Lateral Flow Test today or tomorrow.

"1 in 3 people have the virus with no symptoms so regular testing is an important tool in the fight against Covid.”

Sunderland AFC supporters did not need to present proof of a negative test, a COVID-19 vaccination certificate or undergo a temperature check prior to gaining entry to the Stadium of Light for the fixture at the weekend.

However, the Supporters’ Charter produced for the fixture said that those attending the game are ‘encouraged’ to take a lateral flow test the day before the fixture.

Anyone without symptoms in England can get free lateral flow tests from testing sites, pharmacies or delivered through the post and are being encouraged to take the test and report the results as lockdown restrictions are eased.

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