How bad is COVID in the cities hosting Euro 2020?
Europe is gearing up to enjoy one of its most eagerly awaited football tournaments in years, as it attempts to shrug off the impact of the pandemic on organised sports.
But the countries where the delayed Euro 2020 matches will be played vary significantly in terms of how badly hit they currently are by the virus.
And the cities that are hosting the group and knockout ties vary even more.
In all, 10 countries will play host to spectators, with football being played at 11 stadiums and arenas. In the United Kingdom, the both England’s national stadium, Wembley, and Scotland’s – Hampden Park – will be used.
Thousands of fans will still gather in stadiums, with many more expected to mix at meeting points in city centres. So far, two Spanish players, two Swedes and several Czechs have been among those testing positive before the European Championships have even begun.
The cities where matches will take place will be: Amsterdam, Baku, Bucharest, Budapest, Copenhagen, Glasgow, London, Munich, Rome, St Petersburg and Seville.
Dublin and Bilbao were previously proposed as venues but UEFA’s Executive Committee met in late April and decided that, largely because of COVID rates, fans would have difficulties attending matches.
In any event, fans from across the continent will face all kinds of obstacles attending the matches in the remaining venues.
The capacities at most of the grounds are being cut to allow social distancing to take place, substantially reducing the number of seats available.
Below are some of the restrictions and problems anyone who wants to attend matches at the 11 grounds will face.
Much of what is listed for stadiums outside the UK is based the latest information received by UEFA from the local authorities and is constantly evolving and changing so should be checked against local government requirements:
Wembley, London
Three group matches, two last-16, two semi-finals and the final
Wembley Stadium, London
Wembley has been the beneficiary of deteriorating COVID situations in other European countries, gaining several matches that were due to be played elsewhere.
But overseas fans wanting to come to London face all kinds of hurdles until the restrictions are finally relaxed.
Anyone from outside the Common Travel Area of the UK and Ireland must have a negative test in the 72 hours before arrival (assuming they are not a non-UK/Irish resident coming from a red list country, from where travel is banned) and then quarantine on arrival according to government requirements, having filled in a passenger locator form.
Everyone based in the UK going to the stadium, for the group matches at least, must have had an NHS test and trace approved negative lateral flow test or have proof of full vaccination using the government’s app.
Ticket holders based elsewhere must also have evidence of a negative lateral flow test.
Numerous other regulations will be in place for people able to enter the ground.
Hampden Park, Glasgow
Three group matches, one last-16
Hampden Park, Glasgow
The rules for getting to Scotland from abroad are similar to those when arriving in England, with quarantine rules also in place for people coming from amber countries and there are specific restrictions on people coming from parts of northwest England and the Republic of Ireland.
Unlike in Wembley, fans attending matches at Hampden Park will not need proof of a negative COVID test to gain entry, but the Scottish government has said the policy will be reviewed if the situation changes.
Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam
Three group matches, one last-16
Anyone wanting to go to Ajax’s home ground will first have to check if they are allowed into the Netherlands.
The UK is not currently considered a “safe” country so a ban on entry applies, assuming someone is not a national of an EU country.
People from EU countries and selected other ‘exempt’ countries can still visit but the rules are complex and should be checked with the Dutch authorities.
Before going to the stadium, fans must have passed a free, bookable COVID test and then follow a number of other rules.
Olympic Stadium, Baku
Three group matches, one quarter final
The Olympic Stadium in Baku
To go to Azerbaijan, only people from Turkey, Switzerland, the UK and any relevant quarter-finalist country will be able to obtain a visa on arrival if they have a valid match ticket.
From 10 June, people from Russia and Turkey will be able to visit only if they have either passed a verified PCR COVID test or have proof of full vaccination.
Everyone else cannot enter the country to watch a match but, like Netherlands and all the countries on this list other than the home nations, Azerbaijan is on the UK’s amber list, meaning anyone visiting would be going against government advice and would have to quarantine on return.
Currently, a COVID-19 test will not be required for stadium entry in Baku.
National Stadium, Bucharest
Three group matches, one last-16
The UK is currently on Romania’s red list, which means that anyone wanting to go to the country, as well as following any appropriate immigration procedures, must provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or show evidence of immunity or provide a negative PCR test result and leave within 72 hours.
Several EU countries are on Romania’s amber and green lists, so visitors from those places will have to follow other rules.
All ticket holders attending group stage matches at the stadium must get a COVID-19 wristband before heading there, which requires a range of testing options.
Puskas Arena, Budapest
Three group matches, one last-16
The Puskas Arena in Budapest
At first glance, the Puskas Arena might look like a good option to see some high quality football, as the authorities have said they are allowing all of the seats to be occupied, making it the only venue that will be full to capacity.
But, while visitors to the ground might be able to lay their hands on a valid COVID test result – which is required to get the wristband necessary to enter the stadium – providing evidence of full UK vaccination – which is the other way to get one – is unlikely to be sufficient as the UK does not yet have a reciprocal arrangement with Hungary.
The above requirements are also necessary to enter Hungary.
Parken Stadium, Copenhagen
Three group matches, one last-16
People from the UK cannot currently enter Denmark unless they have a “worthy purpose for entry”, such as work, business or studies. Different rules are in place for people who live part or all of the time in the EU.
Anyone who makes it to the ground, will need to show a valid negative test result, proof of immunity or proof of full vaccination.
Football Arena, Munich
Three group matches, one quarter-final
The Football Arena Munich is also known as Bayern Munich’s homeground of the Allianz Stadium
Germany has designated the UK an area where virus variants of concern exist and, therefore, travel is pretty much banned unless someone is German or has an exceptional excuse.
Those who do arrive from the UK are subject to a two-week quarantine.
Anyone who makes it to the stadium needs to show their valid ID and wear an FFP-2 face mask as well as carrying their ticket.
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Three group matches, one quarter-final
Since 7 April, entry to Italy from the UK has no longer been restricted to Italian residents but measures continue to apply.
There is a requirement to present a negative test result or quarantine on arrival.
To enter the stadium, any ticket holders who are not Italian must provide a negative COVID-19 molecular or antigen test result that is not older than 48 hours at the time of kick-off (in Italian or English, in printed or electronic form).
Saint Petersburg Stadium, St Petersburg
Six group matches, one quarter-final
The Saint Petersburg Stadium
In April, the Russian government said nationals of various countries including the UK could now travel to Russia so long as they had the appropriate documents.
Normally a visa is required by UK citizens to enter Russia, but a travel exemption has been created and will be in place for all UEFA EURO 2020 games in Saint Petersburg. It will allow travelling fans from other nations with matchday tickets to enter Russia without a visa but with some additional necessary documents.
A FAN ID is required, along with proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test dated no earlier than three calendar days before arriving and those on international flights to Russia need a COVID-19 pre-travel screening form.
Stadium La Cartuja, Seville
Three group matches, one last-16
Spain is yet to set specific requirements for fans travelling to watch the football but generally UK residents are allowed to enter the amber-listed country subject to various requirements.
All passengers entering Spain are still required to complete a health control form before they travel and have to undergo various checks when they arrive.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has told Sky News that Vladimir Putin could attack a NATO country within five years to test the alliance.
The Ukrainian president made the comments in an interview with chief presenter Mark Austin.
But when asked if Russia could attack within months, Mr Zelenskyy said he did not “believe [Putin] is ready”.
Mr Zelenskyy also said plans for NATO members to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2035 are “very slow” – adding: “We believe that, starting from 2030, Putin can have significantly greater capabilities.
“Today, Ukraine is holding him up, he has no time to drill the army.”
Sky’s Mark Austin meets Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Russia’s soldiers are “all getting annihilated and wiped out at the battlefield”, he warned.
“In any case, [Putin] needs a pause, he needs sanctions to be lifted, he needs a drilled army.
“And 10 years is a very long time. He will have a new army ready [by then].”
Zelenskyy appeared defiant – but he’s struggling to make himself heard
He’s an embattled wartime leader struggling to make himself heard. For Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy the war in Iran could not have come at a worse time.
Suddenly the world’s attention is on a different conflict and most crucially so is the attention of the most powerful man in the world, Donald Trump.
But this is a big 24 hours for Zelenskyy, a meeting with Sir Keir Starmer in Downing Street followed by the NATO summit in The Hague.
When I sat down with President Zelenskyy in the last few hours he had two main issues on his mind.
Firstly, the proposed spending pledge by NATO countries of 5% of GDP by 2035 – that he said was too slow and warned that Putin would be ready with a new army within five years. He said the Russian leader would likely attack a NATO country within a few years to test Article 5.
Then he was on to sanctions, which he told me, were not working. Countries, including the UK, were allowing dual use components used in the production of drones and missiles to still get into Russian hands and must be blocked.
He also still insisted there would be no negotiations without a ceasefire. This war is not going well for Ukraine right now.
Three-and-a-half years into it, the fighting goes on and Zelenskyy appeared to be a defiant president determined to see it through.
The UK and its NATO allies will formally sign off the defence spending plans when the heads of state and government meet in The Hague today and tomorrow.
The spending goal is broken down into 3.5% of GDP to be spent on pure defence and 1.5% of GDP on related areas, such as infrastructure and cybersecurity.
Defence spending of 5% is the kind of level invested by NATO allies during the Cold War.
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Mr Zelenskyy met Sir Keir Starmer at Downing Street and Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle at parliament on Monday, before travelling to Windsor Castle for a meeting with the King.
The Ukrainian president has been invited to the NATO summit, but will not take part in its main discussions. It is still unclear whether he will attend.
You can watch the full interview throughout the day on Sky News
World
Iran says it’s carried out ‘mighty and successful’ attack on US base – as Qatar air defences ‘thwart assault’
Iran claims it has carried out a “mighty and successful response” to “America’s aggression” after launching missile attacks on a US military base in Qatar and Iraq.
The attack comes after the US dropped “bunker buster bombs” on three key nuclear sites in Iran over the weekend.
Iran’s response this evening is the latest escalation in tensions in the volatile region.
Qatar has said there were no casualties at the al Udeid base following the strikes and that its “air defences thwarted the attack and successfully intercepted the Iranian missiles”.
People in Qatar’s capital, Doha, had stopped and gazed up at the sky as missiles flew and interceptors fired.
Follow latest: Iran attacks US bases
Iran had announced on state television that it had attacked American forces stationed at the al Udeid airbase.
A caption on screen called it “a mighty and successful response” to “America’s aggression” as martial music played.
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Iran releases video after attack on US base
Initial reports claimed Iran had also targeted a base housing US troops in western Iraq, but a US military official later told Reuters news agency the attack in Qatar was the only one detected.
A US government official said the White House and US defence department was “closely monitoring” the potential threats to its base.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump was in the Situation Room in the White House with his team following the Iranian strikes.
Traces are seen in the sky over Qatar after Iran’s armed forces targeted the al Udeid base. Pic: Reuters
He later said in a post on Truth Social that the missiles were a “very weak response”, which the US “expected” and “very effectively countered”.
He added: “Most importantly, they’ve gotten it all out of their ‘system,’ and there will, hopefully, be no further HATE.
“I want to thank Iran for giving us early notice, which made it possible for no lives to be lost, and nobody to be injured.
“Perhaps Iran can now proceed to Peace and Harmony in the Region, and I will enthusiastically encourage Israel to do the same.”
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a post on X: “We have not violated anyone’s rights, nor will we ever accept anyone violating ours, and we will not surrender to anyone’s violation; this is the logic of the Iranian nation.”
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The attacks came shortly after Qatar closed its airspace as a precaution amid threats from Iran.
Just before the explosions, Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian wrote on the social platform X: “We neither initiated the war nor seeking it. But we will not leave invasion to the great Iran without answer.”
Kuwait and Bahrain briefly shut their airspaces after the attack, news agencies in each country reported.
Iraq also shut its airspace, while Oman Air suspended some flights in the region.
The Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways said it is rerouting several flights today and tomorrow due to restrictions in parts of the Middle East.
Three of Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities – Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan – were targeted in US airstrikes on 22 June.
The prime target of the attacks was Iran’s most advanced facility at Fordow, suspected of being used to enrich uranium close to what’s needed for a nuclear bomb.
Satellite images from the aftermath of the US strikes suggest at least six bombs were dropped there.
Satellite imagery of Fordow after the US bombing. Pic: Maxar Technologies
The secure nuclear facility, home to Iran’s main enrichment site, is buried deep under a mountain.
So exactly how much damage was done is unknown, perhaps even to Iran, which appears to have evacuated the site. The specific location of the strikes and the bombs used gives us an indication.
America used the 30,000-lb Massive Ordnance Penetrator bomb, or a GBU-57 – commonly known as a “bunker buster”.
The bunker buster is the only missile that had a chance of destroying the Fordow facility, and American planes were needed for them to be used.
Blueprints from Iran’s Nuclear Archive, which date from before 2004 and were seized by Israeli spies in 2018, suggest the bombs targeted the tunnels under the Fordow site.
Blueprints of the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant suggest tunnels run through the mountain. Pic: Google Earth
The access tunnels overground lead to a 250 metre long hall which is thought to contain the uranium enrichment centrifuges, and well as the location of what is thought to be ventilation shafts.
Iran is thought to have likely moved any enriched uranium from the facility before the strikes occurred. But if the ventilation shafts were hit, that would allow the bombs to penetrate as far as possible and hit the centrifuge hall itself.
Iran’s major nuclear facilities seriously damaged, if not completely destroyed
The loss of industrial-scale centrifuge “cascades” used to enrich uranium will certainly derail any imminent deadlines in weaponisation the Islamic Republic may have set itself – more on that below.
But it has already amassed a sizeable stockpile of highly enriched uranium and may even have already enriched some of it to the 90% or so needed to make fissile material necessary for a bomb.
And despite strikes on industrial scale facilities that have taken decades to generate that stockpile, the material itself weighs less than half a tonne.
Moving it, splitting it up, concealing it, is not beyond the wit of a nation that expected these assaults may be coming.
Iran’s nuclear programme is also more than its large-scale facilities. Iran has been developing nuclear expertise and industrial processes for decades. It would take more than a concerted bombing campaign to wipe that out.
The final steps to “weaponise” highly enriched uranium are technically challenging, but Iran was known to be working on them more than 20 years ago.
Iran also does not require industrial-scale facilities like those needed to enrich uranium, meaning they could be more easily concealed in a network of smaller, discrete lab-sized buildings.
But what’s far from clear is whether Iran had actually taken steps towards weaponisation in recent years.
Recent US intelligence assessments indicated that it hadn’t. Iran’s leaders knew that very significant moves towards making a bomb would be seen as a major escalation by its neighbours and the international community.
For a long time, a key deterrent to Iran developing a nuclear weapon has been an internal political one.
It’s possible of course that position may have been shifting and these latest strikes were designed to disarm a rapidly weaponising Iran.
But it’s also possible the attacks on its nuclear programme may be forcing a previously tentative government to push harder towards making a nuclear bomb.
Fordow is only one of three nuclear facilities targeted in America’s strike, however, and one of seven that have been targeted since the conflict began.
Natanz’s uranium enrichment facility, about 140 km south of Fordow, had been subject to multiple Israeli strikes before America’s advance.
Israeli raids targeted surface buildings, including stores of enriched uranium. However, post-strike radiation monitoring suggested there was little, if any, nuclear material there.
At the weekend, Americans dropped bunker-buster bombs there too, targeting thousands of enrichment centrifuges operating in bunkers below.
Destruction at the Natanz Enrichment Complex from satellite imagery. Pic: Maxar Technologies
Then there is the Isfahan complex. Again, Israeli missiles destroyed a number of buildings there last week. And at the weekend, US cruise missiles targeted others, including the uranium conversion plant.
At the weekend, Americans also dropped bunker-buster bombs there, targeting thousands of enrichment centrifuges operating in bunkers below.
Satellite imagery shows the impact on the Isfahan Nuclear Complex. facility. Pic: Maxar Technologies
Speaking from the White House after the attacks, Donald Trump said facilities had been “completely and totally obliterated”. But experts suggest it could take more to destroy it entirely.
“This is a very well-developed, long-standing programme with a lot of latent expertise in the country,” said Darya Dolzikova, a proliferation and nuclear security expert at RUSI, a UK defence and security thinktank
“I don’t think we’re talking about a full elimination at this point, certainly not by military means.”
The Data and Forensics team is a multi-skilled unit dedicated to providing transparent journalism from Sky News. We gather, analyse and visualise data to tell data-driven stories. We combine traditional reporting skills with advanced analysis of satellite images, social media and other open source information. Through multimedia storytelling we aim to better explain the world while also showing how our journalism is done.
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