Britain’s government has approved a return for elite sport in England from June 1, says the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Oliver Dowden.
‘Phase three’ of the government’s plan for the country to come out of the coronavirus enforced lockdown, which has been in place since March 23, will allow training at full group capacity and events to take place behind closed doors.
Horse racing and snooker are among the first sports to return with Newcastle hosting a race meet on Monday and a Championship League snooker tournament will begin in Milton Keynes.
Premier League football clubs have been training since May 19 in preparation for the league’s resumption on June 17.
“The wait is over. Live British sport will shortly be back on in safe and carefully controlled environments,” said Dowden on Saturday.
“This guidance provides the safe framework for sports to resume competitions behind closed doors. It is now up to individual sports to confirm they can meet these protocols and decide when it’s right for them to restart.”
The return of elite sport comes with strict guidelines including all participants from athletes to media must travel individually, screening tests for Covid-19 before permitting entry to the venue and minimized usage of changing rooms.
Social distancing must be enforced at all times and non-essential contact such as goal celebrations are prohibited.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters added: “There is still much work to be done to ensure the safety of everyone involved.
“This includes consulting with our clubs, players and managers – along with all our other stakeholders – as the health and welfare of our participants and supporters is our priority.
“If all goes well, we will be thrilled to resume the 2019-20 season in just over two weeks’ time.”
It is still up to individual sports when they return and the England and Wales Cricket Board has already delayed the domestic cricket season until August 1.
The British Boxing Board of Control says there will be no scheduled bouts until at least July 1.
In terms of recreational sport, the government also announced that up to five members from different households can meet for group fitness sessions that don’t involve physical contact.
The full guidance will be published and come into effect on Monday.
