The U.K. government on Friday paved the way for a return of fans to sports stadiums from October as the country continues its emergence from months-long COVID-19 restrictions.

"We will pilot larger gatherings in venues such as sports stadia with a view to a wider reopening in the autumn," Prime Minister Boris Johnson said. "All of these measures, for August 1, should be done in a COVID-secure way.

"From October we intend to bring back audiences in stadia and allow conferences and other business events to recommence, again these changes must be done in a COVID-secure way subject to the successful outcome of pilots."

Domestic competitive sport resumed in the U.K. on 1 June, having been suspended in mid-March to curb further spread of COVID-19.

Since then, football, cricket, golf and horse racing are some of the sporting activities that resumed.

The U.K. is one of the worst hit countries worldwide by the COVID-9 pandemic, having reported more than 294,000 cases and over 45,000 deaths, according to data from the U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.

The intended return of fans to stadium is widely expected to boost earnings for football clubs in lower leagues, which largely depend on match-day earnings.