Step-by-Step: Fans' Return to Home Park

We are delighted to be able to welcome a proportion of the Green Army back to Home Park for our Sky Bet League One fixture with Milton Keynes Dons this weekend.

Of course, things will be very different to your last visit to the Theatre of Greens, and we have taken a number of steps to ensure that spectators, players, and staff remain safe inside the stadium.

We cannot achieve this without your help, though, and we ask that any members of the Green Army who have been invited to return to Home Park this weekend ensure they take their following steps.

Before arrival

We ask that supporters who have not been contacted about returning to the stadium do not attend – this places all attendees at risk, as well as jeopardising future events at Home Park. If you have been invited to attend but are not able to do so, please email tickets@pafc.co.uk.

If you have received an email inviting you to attend the fixture but have not received your ticket by the morning of the game, please visit the Home Park Ticket Office, where you will be issued with a temporary pass for Saturday's game. Please observe social distancing guidelines during your visit to the Ticket Office.

All attendees should undertake a personal risk assessment before leaving home. Supporters must not attend if they are feeling unwell or suffering from COVID-19 symptoms – which include a new or persistent cough, high temperature, sore throat, headache, or a loss of sense of smell or taste. Those who are self-isolating, or have tested positive, should not attend.

Supporters are encouraged to avoid public transport wherever they can, walking to Home Park whenever possible. If travelling in cars, avoid sharing with those outside of your household bubble.

Familiarise yourself with your arrival time and specified turnstile. Supporter arrival is staggered in two separate 45-minute windows, at 1.30pm (until 2.15pm) and 2.15pm (until 3pm) for a 3pm kick-off.

Please ensure that you arrive in plenty of time to go through the entry procedures, including a temperature check, and note that you will only be granted stadium entry through your specified turnstile.

The wearing of face coverings is a condition of entry. Coverings are to be worn at all times, except when consuming food or drink.

For those who have forgotten their face covering, these will be on sale for £1 each outside of the stadium.

Upon arrival

Please avoid bringing bags with you to the stadium so as to avoid delays on entry. If you absolutely must bring a bag with you, please make sure it is transparent for ease of security check.

Be aware that your temperature will be taken before entry, and entry to the stadium will be denied for those who are presenting a raised temperature (over 37.5).

Supporters are advised that food and drink will be permitted into the stadium, on the basis that it contained within a clear bag. Please note that food outlets will be open outside of the stadium, but no kiosks will be open inside the stadium.

We encourage supporters to plan toilet breaks around peak times, avoiding the usual busy periods (for example, at half-time), to ensure social distancing is maintained throughout your visit.

On route to and from your seat

A one-way system is in place to ensure minimal contact with other individuals. In addition, please ensure that you follow floor markings, signage, and directives from stewards.

Maintain good hand hygiene – use the sanitiser dispensers provided and avoid touching your face, or handles, railings etc. whenever possible.

Please do not approach players for ‘selfies’ and/or autographs.

It is compulsory that supporters wear a face covering within the stadium at all times except when eating or drinking or if you are exempt on medical grounds.

Once seated

If you do need to leave your seat, wait for a time when the gangway is clear, following directional signs as provided.

At all times and in all parts of the ground, please observe social distancing, taking care to ensure that you avoid contact with anyone outside of your social bubble.

Remain in your seat at all times, except for visits to the toilet.

Please observe respiratory etiquette – always cover your mouth if needing to cough or sneeze.

Avoid hugs, high-fives and any close contact with people who are not within your social bubble.

If you feel ill, please contact your nearest steward, who will then refer you to our medical team.

At full-time

You will be encouraged to depart Home Park in an orderly manner, while complying with social distancing measures.

Stewards will manage the exit row by row within each block from the front to the back of the stand, reducing the flow of people around people. This will mean that people do not unnecessarily have to pass each other on the stairs.

Those spectators in wheelchairs will be the first to leave the stadium as directed by the stewards.

Hand sanitiser stations

Sanitiser stations will be placed strategically around the ground’s circulation system, including around where people may gather, including: concourses, toilets and hospitality areas.

Match programmes and Argyle Superstore

Copies of our award-winning match-day programme, The Pilgrim, will be available from the Argyle Superstore, which is open before the game. There will be no programme vendors inside Home Park on Saturday.

The Argyle Superstore will be open for the duration of match-day, until after the final whistle.

Please ensure that you have read our Fans’ Return Guide and the PAFC Code of Conduct before you attend on Saturday.

It has been a challenging process to ensure that Home Park is ready and prepared for the safe return of the Green Army, but we are still a long way from our desired attendance.

Thank you for your support.