Leicester City to host Crystal Palace on July 4 despite lockdown restrictions

As noted by Sky News, rising coronavirus cases sent Leicester back into lockdown and put the Premier League fixture between Leicester City and Crystal Palace, scheduled to occur at the King Power Stadium on July 4, in doubt.

Through an official press release, however, Leicester announced they've been given the green light to host Palace and other opponents as the English top-flight completes the 2019-20 season this summer:

All parties remain entirely satisfied that, through the continued implementation of our COVID-19 operations plan, the Club’s football operations can continue to safely function under existing protocols and, in doing so, there will be no greater risk posed to Club personnel, visiting teams or our surrounding communities. Consequently, first team training will continue at Belvoir Drive and our forthcoming Premier League fixtures remain unaffected.

The Club remains agile to the evolving nature of the situation and suitable continuity arrangements are in place in the event we are required to deviate from our existing protocols.

The statement adds: 

Through the implementation of a robust and comprehensive COVID-19 operations plan, the Club is fully committed to playing its part in controlling the spread of the virus in our communities, while safely ensuring we can continue to operate and represent those communities on the pitch. We urge our supporters in the city to stay home where possible and to continue to follow the latest localised advice, available at www.leicester.gov.uk.

Before the Premier League returned on June 17, some campaigned for matches to occur at neutral grounds to ensure the safety of players and personnel, and to avoid groups of supporters from gathering outside stadiums. 

It's not known where Leicester would play if additional restrictions temporarily relocate the club next month. 

Leicester sit third in the league table and possess a Champions League berth heading into Wednesday's match versus Everton.