Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed that England will move to 'Plan B' following the increase in cases of the Omicron variant of Covid-19, meaning fresh restrictions will come into force.
Mr Johnson's change in approach means that anyone attending an outdoor event of more than 4,000 people, and any venue with more than 10,000 people, will have to provide evidence of two Covid-19 vaccinations, which has commonly been referred to as a vaccine passport.
This means that anyone attending a Premier League match, including those at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium and Manchester United's Old Trafford, will have to provide proof that they have had two vaccines to gain entrance.
Mr Johnson, addressing the nation on Wednesday evening, did, however, confirm that a negative lateral flow test would also suffice.
It has been confirmed that England's switch to 'Plan B' will come into force next week, suggesting that they could be required as soon as next week's midweek fixtures.
City welcome Leeds United to the Etihad Stadium next Tuesday evening and United travel to Brentford on the same night, but vaccine passports will not be needed, with them set to come into force from next Wednesday, December 15.
That, therefore, will mean that they will be needed from Saturday, December 18 as far as United's and City's fixtures are concerned.
United face Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford a-week-on-Saturday whilst City travel to Newcastle United a day later.
As well as fresh restrictions coming into force for football supporters, Mr Johnson has also confirmed that masks will be required in most indoor settings from Friday and people are, once more, being encouraged to work from home.
We've teamed up with LiveScore to invite fans to nominate their favourite results - the games which were much more than a score. Nominate the match that mattered to you here .
