MANCHESTER, England – Sporting events will be allowed to resume in England from Monday, without any spectators and provided they follow government protocols on coronaviruses.
The guidelines for elite sports organizations were released by the government on Saturday as the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions that were imposed in March are further relaxed.
It paves the way for the planned June 17 return of the Premier League, the richest football competition in the world. The guidelines include a demand that social distancing be maintained in matches “during any dispute between players and referees, or during goal celebrations.”
Horse racing and snooker have already scheduled events for Monday in anticipation of the end of an 11-week sports hiatus.
“The wait is over,” Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said. “Live UK sport will soon be back in safe and carefully vetted environments.”
Athletes and other staff should travel to venues individually and by private transport when possible. Screening for coronavirus symptoms is mandatory before entering.
When social distancing cannot be maintained – by staying within 2 meters (6 feet) of each other – activities should be assessed and mitigated. Media have been asked to “minimize crossing” with other people on the site, including gamers.
“These guidelines provide a secure framework for sports to resume competition behind closed doors,” said Dowden. “It is now up to individual sports to confirm that they can follow these protocols and to decide when it is right for them to restart.
“This is an important moment for British sport. By working with clinicians every step of the way, we are creating the safest possible environments for everyone involved.”
The first major event after the sport returns is expected to be the 2,000 Guineas horse race next Saturday in Newmarket, with jockeys wearing face masks.
But the government is not yet ready to allow the resumption of non-elitist sports, denying ordinary citizens the opportunity to play cricket and football in a park.
“We are working hard to get grassroots sport back on line safely as well, so that people can reunite with their own football, rugby or cricket teammates and return to their fields, fields or athletics tracks,” said Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston. “But we will only do so when it is safe and appropriate, based on scientific advice.”
However, the government will allow groups of six people from different households to exercise outdoors from Monday as long as they stay within 2 meters of each other. Currently, only two people from different households can meet.