As the Premier League season roars towards its exciting conclusion, Professor Jonathan Van-Tam has urged fans in the United Kingdom to watch the matches from the safety of their own homes to continue the fight against COVID-19.
Every match is being broadcast live in the UK, with an unprecedented number being shown live on free-to-air television via Sky Pick, the BBC and Amazon Prime Video.
There are also live radio commentaries in the UK for each fixture on BBC Radio 5 Live and talkSPORT.
Speaking to former Arsenal striker Ian Wright, Van-Tam, the Government's Deputy Chief Medical Officer, has stressed the importance of fans following the Premier League's message that they watch from their own homes rather than congregate as perhaps they might have done before the pandemic.
Close contact will spread virus
"What people really can't do is recreate the pub in their own living room," says Van-Tam.
"Those are just the wrong conditions of close contact in indoor environments that will spread the virus.
"We're going to have to watch it in our own households with our own families. It's the only safe way for now."
For Van-Tam, a season-ticket holder at National League North club Boston United, the message is simple.
Driving down infection rate
"Stay at home. Watch the game at home. Follow the rules," he says.
"If we do that, then we're going to drive down the infection rate even lower than it is now.
"And that is going to increase the chances that we can get back to enjoying football in the normal way, in the earliest possible timeframe."
