The English Football League (EFL) has told its clubs to segregate players into various groups on team coaches, in light of rising Covid cases and new restrictions.
A report in the Telegraph says that clubs have been told to separate players into four categories: those who are doubled jabbed against Covid-19; those who have had their booster as well as first two jabs; the previously infected; those who are unvaccinated.
The 72 clubs across the Championship, League One and League Two are being instructed to think about how they split up their players whilst travelling to and from games, with team coaches an obvious area to try and target.
Cases of the omicron variant of Covid-19 have been rising daily in the UK. That led to the Government triggering 'Plan B' earlier this week.
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It means that face masks will be required in more settings whilst people are being asked to work from home if possible.
In addition, Covid passports will become mandatory in places that attract crowds of more than 10,000. In the absence of a pass, a negative lateral flow test would be accepted.
A large chunk of clubs in the EFL will now have to enforce these checks on turnstiles, due to their capacity exceeding 10,000.
An EFL statement relating to the matter said on Friday: "Following the UK Government’s introduction of its Autumn/Winter Plan, the EFL is asking football supporters to be prepared before they travel to watch their teams in action.
"Covid-19 Certification is now mandatory for entry into settings where large crowds gather – including unseated indoor events with 500 or more attendees, unseated outdoor events with 4,000 or more attendees and any event with 10,000 or more attendees.
"As a result, supporters will need to be prepared to provide evidence of Covid-19 Certification to enter football stadia where the attendance will exceed 10,000 seated or 4,000 standing.
"Similar legislation is already in force in Wales, with Cardiff City, Newport County and Swansea City already operating these measures."
Tottenham Hotspur's Europa Conference League game with Rennes was called off this week due to eight Spurs players and five members of staff testing positive.
The club were forced to close their first-team training centre on Wednesday. This weekend's Premier League game against Brighton has also been postponed as a precaution.
Last season saw English football cope relatively well with regards Covid-related postponements.
The Premier League saw a handful of games called off whilst there were a clutch of outbreaks in the EFL.
With regards Covid passports, some top-flight clubs are believed to have been bracing themselves for the implementation of such measures for months.
Some Premier League sides even offered to be used as "guinea pigs" for trials when the UK was emerging from the first and second lockdowns, helping bring punters back safely through the turnstiles.
