Everton to increase Covid-19 spot-checks

I still find it astonishing that so many footballers haven't got the vaccine. They are definitely not listening to medical advice, unlike the rugby players where over 90% of the players have got theirs.

Ooh, I got here too early. Hi Christy, I was expecting some crossfire with this topic. I'll get breakfast and come back.

What a pile of crap – they said this before the first game of the season and I didn't see anyone getting checked by the security people in evidence and no-one I know was interrogated either. Next two games, there was even less security.

They issue these warnings but can't enforce them. Last game, I only saw three masks in the Park End and I was one of them!

To make matters worse, my NHS letter of approval ended up in the washing machine. So I'm fooked anyhow despite having the booster!

Fuck the matchday nonsense – just get vaccinated!

UTFT 👍

Mike,

I was checked before the Southampton game. Because my season ticket isn't in my name (long story), it didn't match the name on my vaccination certificate. I had to provide photo ID that matched the certificate. It was all rather efficient actually.

Stephen – I think you were unlucky but thanks for the reassurance.

I'm now getting worried they'll turn me away because my NHS letter didn't make it out of the tumble dryer!

But also interesting they checked your name on the season ticket didn't match your vaccination certificate.

It will be interesting to hear what fans say after the West Ham game.

Mike Keating, I was one of the other two guys! And yet all stewards were wearing masks! The illogicality of it all makes my brain hurt sometimes!

Ray - do you think ToffeeWeb can reveal the ID of the Third Man?

Well, the cynic in me says they've been saying this all season, but I haven't been checked once.

But the good citizen in me welcomes it. I have my card and I also have my NHS App, so happy to produce evidence on demand.

Guess I'll have to get there sooner as I've missed Z-Cars on 3 occasions so far without this!!

I've been to all the games, home and away, including QPR.

I'm in Upper Gwladys and the only check I've had at Goodison was v Southampton. I was asked by a steward, in the street outside, if I'd had the jabs and she just added me to a 5 bar gate on a clipboard. I wasn't asked to show any evidence.

They don't even ask on the Everton away coaches!

The only full check was at Brighton where I was asked to scan my Covid pass.

Mike - does the third man have a mate who has a long leg called Harold Lime?

If you download the NHS App then it will actually have your vaccine details on there which you can re-print.

Use your head, Danny, or maybe it's just me who is very, very superstitious when it comes to things like this.

Oh Tony, I've also worn Schalke tops to all the matches so they will be getting washed and rinsed!!

Phil I was inclined to agree but then realised what a nasty piece of work Harry Lime was - has to be a Koppite.

A reminder, there is just about 6 hours left on the auction for the signed Pat Nevin autobiography the only bid to date is £30. All proceeds to the TW Golf Day charity appeal. Given that the price of the book is £20 I would have thought that the auction would have raised more.

Come on blues be generous.

Phil (K) R - I'm confused...who'd name his leg Harry Lime?

Stephen - link please and @Derek, how close are we to the £1K mark? Let's get this over the line.

Mike @5, I also have a tattered NHS letter because my phone is incompatible with the NHS app. I'm sure you can get a duplicate letter in time for Sunday.

Do they accept the signed record card they gave you when you got your jabs?

Phil

No doubt Harry Lime is selling fake vaccines.

I'm vaccinated so I'm not encouraging bad behavior but, seeing as the club announced what the spot checkers are wearing, couldn't anyone not vaccinated just steer away from people in blue hi-vis vests?

It's been the case all along, Kieran.

I'm fully vaccinated, have my card in my wallet and the NHS record on my Phone App and I've done what has been asked of me.

But yet again, the cynic in me can't see past the bold statement of intent to the masses. Throughout this, making statements and then enforcing or policing said statements are 2 different things.

Try the London Underground, where mask-wearing is apparently still compulsory and would be "enforced" by enforcement officers, according to the Mayor of London. Yeah right, Sadiq. Saying it made you look good on the news for 5 minutes.

Maybe random spot checks are more manageable, but I'd be surprised if it changes much from what we've had so far. Happy to be surprised though.

I'd prefer to see all clubs carrying out spot checks on visiting players and officials, and excluding those not double-vaccinated from the stadium. This would encourage clubs to put some pressure on players to do the decent thing.

Not holding my breath though as different rules applied throughout society depending on who you are – sick of hearing this "freedom of choice" (to decide whether or not to potentially infect others with a life-threatening illness) excuse.

Martin @22 - Maybe that's a master plan to keep Iwobi off the pitch - sorry bad taste I know... but could not resist

Glad to hear that Stephen #4 was checked, because my experience has been similar to Bill #9 - a man in a high-viz asking me if I was doubled jabbed, and adding me to his clipboard chart when I nodded.

I was also surprised at how few masks were being worn at Goodison, but I guess that's all about Nudge Theory - if you walk into a place where everybody else is wearing a mask, you put yours on, otherwise you don't bother.

Look, I know the theory is that over 80% of the population is double jabbed so we should all be relatively safe, but in big urban areas like Liverpool and London, the figure drops to under 60%, so my preference would be for a higher level of checks if the club really wants to promote vaccinated/tested attendance only.

Mike #19

In short; no.

Mike @19,

Yes, they will accept the vaccine card given to you by the NHS. A list of what's acceptable proof is on the Everton website.

Just been double-billed - which is correct?

Evening all.

I'm currently living in Northern Ireland and as the NHS App only works in England, I only have the card with vaccination dates, batch number etc.

According to the official site, I believe that the vaccination card is okay. Please correct me if this is not the case.

I have been vaccinated but strongly disapprove of any sort of vaccine passport type stuff.

I know full well at the moment the club won't refuse entry to anyone who can't meet the criteria, so I really don't like this form of get-the-vaccine propaganda.

Anthony. We have just been out for dinner on our way home from France. Went to McDonalds at lunchtime for a coffee – showed our pass. Had sandwiches, went back to use the loo – showed our pass. Restaurant tonight - showed our pass and wore masks until we sat down.

France now has a higher vaccine rate than we do.

Last 7 days:
Cases: UK 267,000; France 30,000
Deaths: 785 v 216

The time we have been in France:
Cases: UK 990,797; France 151,629
Deaths: 3,634 v 1,423

Much as I despise the little creep and his anti-British rhetoric, Macron's decision to make the pass compulsory looks on the face of it to have made a significant difference to the way this thing is going. But we want our freedoms and if that means we have thousands infected each week and passing it on to others, then that we will have to live with. Although some of us are not happy with that choice.

We hit 30,000 new cases a day average on 22 August and, rather than reduce, it has never gone below that level. I just don't want another lockdown.

Paul @28 - that was my question @19 but Bill @25 says “No” while Bill @26 says the opposite!

I wonder if the security guys know the answer?

Phil,

I was in the South of France in September and was never asked for evidence of vaccination, although the French showed passes in restaurants.

There is no disputing your figures, but other countries in Europe have much lower figures than ours without adopting Macron's policies. As in the Brexit debate, I will always recognise and respect the other side of the argument. However, I don't like the idea of a two-tier society and, as I have been vaccinated, I would be perfectly happy to sit next to someone at the match who had not.

I'm with you, Anthony, I'm vaccinated, so I haven't questioned the person next to me at any of the matches I've been to or in the theatre in London I was at last weekend.

I'm comfortable being asked to provide proof, but not entirely sure it can be enforced en-masse. Or needs to be.

Phil, I take it those figures are collective over a period and not daily? They seem high from what I see on the news. To be honest, it's difficult to compare countries' figures given the different way each records or attributes. But let's not go down that rabbit hole.

Anyway, if I get asked, I can show evidence. And believe me, I'm no advocate of nanny or police state mentality. I believe in free choice and responsible personal decision-making.

Which is ironic given I spent 28 years in an institution that told you where to be, when to be there, and ordered you to do things you wouldn't necessarily choose to do given the choice!! Vaccinations? Mandatory 5 jabs in 2 days before deploying and I didn't know what half of them were called let alone what they were for!! We just used to call it a cocktail. Malaria tablets were the worst.

All in the name of protecting people's rights and freedom apparently!!!!

Mike @27,

I would say no unless your card has your name printed on it. My card has the date and type of the two jabs but not my name – it could belong to anybody.

Paul, 28. Maybe provide a negative test result just in case. I think they are still free.

https://liverpool.maps.test-and-trace.nhs.uk/

On the subject of Covid, some astonishing figures. We have about 40,000 new cases a day and the government doesn't seem bothered about that.

Yet in Australia, last week, there was due to be a Sheffield Shield (ie, professional) 4-day cricket match, between Queensland and Tasmania in Brisbane.

The match was abandoned, and the Tasmania team's flight turned around in mid-air and went home.

Why? Because the Queensland government discovered 4 cases of Covid-19 and imposed a lockdown. ... Not 4 thousand or even 4 hundred. just 4!

Without wading into the debate, those figures show that one or other of the governments has got this terribly, terribly wrong.

Neither has got it wrong Nicholas. Australia have a much lower rate of vaccination than us and so are still trying to eliminate or at least contain outbreaks of Covid until they hit the 80% doubled jabbed that we, and most of Europe, are at. We are pretty much at the highest level of vaccination we're going to get to so, at this point, we simply have to get on with our lives.

When Australia gets everyone vaccinated, I would imagine they will stop doing snap lockdowns.

Well said, Michael. You could accuse over-reaction (Australia) or under-reaction (UK).

My observation is that it's just different approaches but the eventual outcome will likely be similar. The main focus should be the vaccine programme, as with all virus and disease over the years. You rarely eradicate, but you can reduce the risk. Australia seems to be going for eradication (good luck on that) the UK (and others) are taking a risk management approach.

You also have to put the context of the countries into perspective. Australia is practically a vast continent in its own right with a population of 25M.

The UK is a geographically small bunch of islands with a declared population of 68M. Most of which is crammed south of the M62. Much of Scotland and Wales is empty whilst Merseyside has a similar population to Northern Ireland in a much more condensed space.

Back to Australia and the UK. Guess which one is more virus friendly and accommodating.

There's no "one solution fits all" remedy unfortunately and, no matter what the UK government (who I have no allegiance to whatsoever) did, they'd have fucked up royally in some people's eyes.

It's all well and good the opposition decrying the government and calling for this, that, and the other MP to be hung drawn and quartered but I bet any money that Starmer went to bed every night, in the early and mid stages of this, thinking "Thank fuck we're not in power."

Mistakes were made, there's no doubt about that, just as mistakes were made by every single other country.

Thing is, simply pointing the finger achieves absolutely nothing.

Danny, the first set were the last 7 days (as stated 😉) whereas the second were the 'almost 30' days we were in France.

My worry is that, if we are at this level now before we head into the winter respiratory disease season, then where are we going to be? France could afford a 10-fold increase and not worry. Could we?

The compulsory mask wearing and discriminating against the non-vaccinated (if you do not get the jab, you will lose your job in some professions) has reduced transmissions significantly. It is all about making sure there is less chance your granny can get it, or mum... or, if you are as old as me, me!

Fair enough Phil. I'm just a bit sceptical on how different countries record data as there doesn't seem to be a standard model.

I'll be honest, I'm more concerned about other diseases that have impacted my family over the past 12 months and before that.

I was diagnosed as being asthmatic at the ripe old age of 45 after years in the Army and playing football to a high level. In hindsight I'd always put it down to having a bit of a tight chest when I went for a run on a cold day. But it took a bad turn in 2017 and I'll be honest, nearly got me with a particularly aggressive attack. And that's no exaggeration. Probably due to my ignorance / stubbornness and putting it down to having a bad cough rather than realising I was actually struggling to breath before giving in and taking myself to the doctor.

My view, is we need to learn to live with this just as we do with other things in life.

But get vaccinated people. And that's advice, not dictating. I don't like dictating. To my previous; freedom of choice and responsible personal decision making. We've always been a society governed by consent, not ruled or dictated to.

Most important enjoy life, however long it gives you. One of my favourite quotes is what my sister sent me that sits on the wall in my kitchen:

"It's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years"

That said, I'm not going anywhere, regardless of Covid, Asthma or Cancer until we lift our 10th league title!! I've told the Lord and he knows!!

I hope you keep well Phil. Looking forward to being on my travels again soon. Goodison on Sunday, Rome the week after, then out to the States.

And Europe next year to follow the Blues!!

What proof of COVID certification is required for entry?

The list of accepted evidence is as follows:
OK All - this is what it says on the EFC website on what is acceptable evidence for admission;

- NHS COVID Pass via: NHS App, Apple/Android Wallet, PDF of NHS COVID Pass, NHS COVID Pass Letter.
- NHS COVID Vaccine Card.
- EU Digital COVID Certificate.
- Negative COVID Test Result, via: Email, Text Message.
- Antibody Test Result, via: NHS App - Positive PCR Test less than 6 months ago

No 2 says that the vaccination card is evidence..

Dave 35. All sorted. After many emails, phone calls etc l managed to access the online system and have got my electronic Covid certificate sent to my phone.

I live in Canada, have had 2 vaccinations, and have got the certificate to prove it. The statement was we had to produce it at certain venues and restaurants, which we have done with no problems.

The thing that got me was, I have had to go to 2 different hospitals but was not asked for any proof that I was vaccinated, just given another mask to wear. I would have thought this was one place where they would want to know if you were vaccinated or not.

Bill Gall

Funny you should say that. I had surgery during Covid in the US. I had to have a negative test, go through some kind of chemical mist machine, had to wear gloves just to get in. But the heavily overweight middle-aged orderlies presiding over the whole process didn't have masks and this was before the vaccines were even available to health workers.

Nicholas #36, if you're travelling from Tasmania to Queensland carrying a banana, they will not let you in!

Or as in my case, from South Australia to Western Australia.

Phil #41, but aren't your Granny and Mum already vaccinated given their age? And yourself?

Paul @44,

Good stuff, enjoy the game!

What I find strange about having to prove you have had the two vaccinations in order to gain entrance to watch some players who are refusing to have these vaccinations, I have no objection to proving I have had the two jabs, did it for the Southampton game, although it wasn't needed, but once again most people are going with the rules while others refuse and in some cases are getting the virus and are still being paid huge salaries while they recover and then still refuse to be vaccinated against the virus they have tested positive for.

This doesn't seem right to me.

Dave, it isn't right mate but hey what can yer do?

Bill # 45 ] we are seeing similar things in the UK. Privately owned businesses [e.g. theatres, exhibition halls, football grounds] are asking for evidence of either double vaccination or a recent negative lateral flow tests. With around 85% of the adult population now fully vaccinated, This request involves minimal inconvenience to the individual and seems reasonable.
In contrast some public sector bodies taking a more relaxed view. Not sure why but I expect the concern will be around accusations of discrimination- the thing they seem to fear most.
With regard to the players, irrespective of vaccination status, I expect they are subject to a regular testing regime which would effectively prevent them from entering a stadium if they show a positive result.

Brian (53), yes no big deal Brian and as you say you can't force people to do what you think is right, in fact I know three or four people who refuse to be vaccinated, they are all over twenty one so should know what they are doing, you have to wonder about them though!!