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Fans in PPE in the stands before the Scottish Premiership match at the Global Energy Stadium, Dingwall.
Fans in England will be allowed to return to sports events in December. (PA)

Fans will be allowed to return to sports venues in England when the lockdown ends next month, Boris Johnson has said.

The prime minister made the announcement on Monday while revealing his plans for tougher new coronavirus tiers from 2 December.

The government said later that outdoor stadiums in Tier 1 – or medium risk – areas would be allowed to host up to 4,000 socially-distanced supporters or half their venue’s capacity, whatever is lower.

Up to 2,000 fans will be allowed at outdoor venues in high alert Tier 2 areas, but no supporters are permitted in Tier 3.

Culture secretary Oliver Dowden said indoor sporting events and fixtures in Tier 1 and Tier 2 will be able to host a maximum of 1,000 fans or 50% of stadium capacity, whatever is lower.

The government had originally planned to allow fans back into stadiums from the beginning of October, but this was shelved towards the end of September.

Gyms will reopen as part of the new tiered system after the nationwide lockdown.

Read more: Boris Johnson rejects Sage advice to bring in 'Tier 4' lockdown measures

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