Code Of Behaviour: For Return To Spectators Matches

Watford Football Club is committed to ensuring the health and safety of supporters and to providing as safe and suitable an environment as possible while the COVID-19 virus is present in the community.

To achieve this, all supporters must always behave in a safe and responsible manner. By purchasing a Match ticket, you are agreeing to comply with this COVID-19 Supporter Code of Behaviour.

It is impossible for the Club to eliminate the risk of COVID-19. Therefore, if you are not willing to comply with this Code of Behaviour or, based on your own health status and susceptibility to infection and that of those in your family and/or household bubble, you feel uncomfortable with the risk, you should not attend a Match.

If you attend a match and do not comply, you would be jeopardising public health, the health of fellow supporters and Club staff, as well as the reputation of the club.

YOU MAY BE CHALLENGED AND CHECKED BY MATCHDAY STAFF IF YOU APPEAR NOT TO BE ADHERING TO THIS CODE OF BEHVAIOUR.

ANY BREACH OF THIS CODE OF BEHAVIOUR MAY RESULT IN YOU BEING REMOVED FROM THE STADIUM AND HAVING YOUR SEASON TICKET OR FAN ID SUSPENDED OR WITHDRAWN AND/OR MAY RESULT IN A SIGNIFICANT BAN FROM ATTENDING FUTURE MATCHES AT THE STADIUM.

1. You are responsible for your own health. Act in ways that protect your health and the health of others and avoid acting in a way that might risk the health of fellow supporters and/or Club staff. Know this Code of Behaviour and all applicable Government guidance and be respectful and understanding to others.

2. If you engage in any behaviour that is intended to transmit the COVID-19 virus to another person or any behaviour that can be reasonably construed to be intending to transmit the COVID-19 virus to another person, you will be removed from the Stadium, the Police will be contacted and you can expect to receive a lifetime ban from the Stadium.

3. You are required to make a declaration of health at the point of registration for a ticket. If you develop COVID-19 symptoms (which can be found HERE) between completion of that declaration and the matchday, you should not attend the match and seek guidance by dialling 111. Do not attend the Stadium if you have any COVID-19 Symptoms.

4. In the event you develop COVID-19 symptoms whilst at the Stadium, please notify the nearest member of Club staff immediately – you will then be taken to a designated isolation room in the Stadium. You will then be asked to leave the Stadium at the earliest possible opportunity and encouraged to book a COVID-19 antigen test as soon as possible.

5. The Club is co-operating with the NHS Test & Trace system and will require details of all supporters attending the Match. FAN ID numbers must be assigned to all tickets purchased. You acknowledge that the Club will hold and process data relating to you and any supporters accompanying you, which may include personal data, for administrative, legal and health and safety purposes (including without limitation in order to assist with NHS test track and trace requirements). The personal data that you provide to the Club shall be processed, stored and transferred in accordance with the terms of the Club’s privacy policy available on the Website.

6. Travel from Tier 3 into Tier 1 or 2 areas should be avoided other than where necessary for work, education, youth services, medical attention or because of caring responsibilities.

7. Supporters in either general access seats, hospitality lounges or executive boxes may only be seated with other members of their household.

8. You must do all you can to observe social distancing at all times, including on the way to and from the Match. You should avoid using public transport to get to the Stadium if possible. If you must use public transport, please make sure you are wearing a face covering and complying with all Government guidelines.

9. You must be the named supporter on your ticket for the Match and be able to confirm this with acceptable photo ID on request. If you are unable to provide an acceptable photo ID, you will not be permitted entry into the Stadium.

10. All match tickets are non-transferable and must be used by the supporter whose FAN ID has been used to purchase the ticket. If you or any of your group are unable to attend, you must contact the ticket office.

11. All match tickets will be loaded to the Watford FC app, which must be used to gain entry to the stadium. If for any reason you require further assistance or are unable to use the app, please contact the ticket office.

12. You must comply with notified arrival times to avoid queueing in critical areas outside the stadium.

13. Guidance regarding the route you should take to the stadium will be issued when tickets are allocated. These directions are provided to avoid congestion in the immediate vicinity of the stadium and must be followed.

14. You must only enter the Stadium via the turnstile number on your ticket or as otherwise directed by Club staff.

15. You must always wear your face covering within the Stadium and within the grounds surrounding the Stadium when queuing. However, you may remove the face covering when sitting in your seat in the Stadium bowl or whilst eating and drinking.

16. If you are exempt from wearing a face covering under Government guidelines (which can be found HERE), you do not need to wear a face covering. If you wish to be issued with a pass to demonstrate that you are exempt, please contact the Club’s Supporter Liaison & Disability Access Officer or the ticket office team.

17. In order to enter the Stadium, you may have your temperature taken. If your temperature is 37.8 degrees or above you may be refused entry to the Stadium. The final decision will be made by the Safety Officer. There will be no right of appeal but you will be entitled to a refund if you contact the ticket office. If you have a medical condition or disability that results in a higher than average temperature, please contact Club’s Supporter Liaison & Disability Access Officer or the ticket office team before you attend.

18. You must sanitise your hands on entering the Stadium and regularly thereafter. Hand sanitiser dispensers will be located at all entrances to the Stadium and throughout the concourses. Please make use of these.

19. Whilst in the Stadium remain 2 metres away from other people wherever possible. Where this is not possible, please ensure that you are 1 metre away and take other mitigating measures (e.g. avoiding face-to-face contact, continuing moving to reduce the amount of time in close proximity as much as possible and covering your mouth/nose with the crook of your elbow if you sneeze or cough).

20. Where they are in place, you must follow one-way systems within the Stadium as directed – do not go the wrong way around the one-way system and do not stop unless necessary.

21. When you enter the Stadium proceed to your designated seat (as identified on your ticket) as soon as possible – do not congregate on the concourse. If you must leave your seat throughout your time at the Stadium, please return as quickly as possible to reduce the number of people on the concourse.

22. You must only sit in the seat allocated to you on your ticket – do not move to any other seat even if the person in closest proximity to you is a member of your household. You should take note of the spaces between you and the next supporters when arriving at your seat. You must always maintain this distance while in your seats.

23. Maintain social distancing when using the toilets as far as possible. You must follow any instruction given to you by Club stewards in respect of which toilet facilities to use.

24. You must refrain from touching the Match ball if it is kicked out of play and into the stands. A member of Club staff will collect the ball from the stands in order to sanitise it and return it to the field of play.

25. You must not approach any of the Club’s or Visiting Club’s players or members of coaching staff at any time. Players and staff are not permitted to sign autographs or pose for photographs at this time.

26. If available, please make use of the food and drink vendors outside of the Stadium to enable you to proceed straight to your seat once inside the Stadium. Kiosks inside the stadium will not be open.

27. Do not share any drinks bottles or any food with anybody.

28. Do not spit, shake hands, or hug anybody.

29. Wash your hands regularly throughout your time at the Stadium with water and soap for at least 20 seconds.

30. Make use of the cleaning stations located around the Stadium to clean areas you are using before and after use.

31. If possible, please do not bring any bags to the Stadium.

32. At the end of the Match, please stay in your seat until you are instructed to leave by a steward or member of club staff.

33. When exiting the stadium, you must follow instructions relating to exit routes, including Stadium Way and Lower Occupation Road to minimise footfall on Vicarage Road.

34. You must follow all Club staff instructions at all times.

35. Please report any breach of this COVID-19 Supporter Code of Behaviour by sending an SMS to 07825 535269 including the stand and seat number. We will treat all messages received in the strictest confidence.

36. Any breach of this COVID-19 Supporter Code of Behaviour shall be addressed by the Club.

37. The Club reserves the right to amend this Code of Behaviour from time to time to: (i) reflect changes in relevant laws and regulatory requirements; or (ii) in order to comply with the latest Government/medical guidance. The Club shall publicise any such changes on its website.