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VST submits plans to get sports fans back into stadiums using rapid testing kits

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A Manchester-based cyber technology firm has submitted plans to get fans back into stadiums through using Covid-19 rapid testing kits.

The ‘Fans Are Back’ initiative, created by VST Enterprises Ltd, aims to get football, rugby and snooker fans back into stadiums in a “safe and controlled way” using kits that produce results in just 10 minutes.

VST, who have been working on digital health passports throughout lockdown, submitted pilot programmes to the Government’s Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said earlier this month that he hoped to get stadiums open for fans by October.

Back in May, VST Enterprises Ltd signed a deal to help supply 50 million COVI-PASS Digital Health Passports to more than 15 countries.

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The digital health passports for the ‘Fans Are Back’ initiative


The proposed pilot scheme involves a test group of 500-5,000 home fans downloading its ‘V-Health Passport’ onto their phones before testing day, including their official Government ID and personal details. 

The fans would then attend a pre-defined testing location the day before the event, where they would present their V-Health passport, and take the Covid test.

According to the ‘Fans Are Back’ initiative, the test would take one minute, with results issued in 10 minutes.

If positive, the fan’s details will be fed back to the authorities for test and tracing purposes, and they will be told to self-isolate under usual Government guidelines. If negative, the fan will be asked to return home and self-isolate until the pilot match.

VST said that the V-Health passport does not track or trace a person’s live location – and ensures personal data is “ultra secure” using advanced security protocols and encryption.

VST Enterprises Ltd’s sports partners REDSTRIKE, public safety and event management partners HALO Solutions and occupational health care company Latus Health, all assisted on the project.

The company said the pilot programs will cover football, rugby and snooker initially and if successful, pilot programs will then be rolled out across music concerts, theatre and other entertainment venues.

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