Elite sport to continue in England during lockdown

5 January 2021, 00:08

Premier League football and other elite sports with testing regimes and bubbles in place will continue despite Prime Minister Boris Johnson announcing a new national lockdown.

England has fallen in line with Scotland, who earlier on Monday said their football and rugby clubs can carry on training and playing as normal after introducing new restrictions for the general public north of the border.

Elite sportspeople and their coaches if necessary will still be able to compete and train.

However, a March-style full lockdown due to concerns of rising Covid-19 cases means outdoor gyms, swimming pools, tennis courts, archery/driving/shooting ranges and riding arenas must all close.

Outdoor team sports and golf will be prohibited in England, although the latter will be allowed to continue in small groups in Scotland.

Organised outdoor sport for disabled people is also able to continue.

Boris Johnson announces third Covid lockdown for England

Addressing the nation on Monday evening, Johnson announced new measures which reintroduced limits placed on the general population, although there was an exemption list.

Included on that were elite sports with the established Covid protocols and "elite sportspeople (and their coaches if necessary, or parents/guardians if they are under 18) - or those on an official elite sports pathway".

While the Premier League and EFL can continue, football below that - steps three to six of the National League system and tiers three to seven of the women's football pyramid right down to grassroots - must stop.

The Vitality Women's FA Cup will also be halted as it is classed as non-elite at this stage of the competition.

"Dialogue will continue with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, leagues, competitions and County Football Associations and we will provide further updates for the 2020-21 Vitality Women's FA Cup, Buildbase FA Vase and non-elite football when relevant," a Football Association statement read.

"We would like to thank the football community once again for its hard work, resilience and understanding during such an incredibly challenging period for both the game and wider society."

Sturgeon announces lockdown for Scotland

The Lawn Tennis Association also wants to put its case across.

"Tennis is a naturally socially distanced sport that is safe to play and gives people the opportunity to get outside and exercise with a friend or relative," a statement read.

The British Horseracing Authority confirmed racing would be continuing behind closed doors.

"Attendance will be limited to those essential to the staging of fixtures and strict adherence to British racing's Covid-19 protocols will continue to be required for all who attend," a statement read.

The Vitality Netball Legends Series between the Vitality Roses and Jamaica Sunshine Girls, scheduled to take place in England at the end of this month, was postponed earlier in the day due to ongoing coronavirus issues.

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had earlier introduced her own strict new measures to combat the spread of coronavirus.

The Scottish Government also released an exemption list, which stated "those involved in professional sports, for training, coaching or competing in an event" are among those allowed to leave their homes.

A Scottish Football Association statement read: "Following the First Minister's announcement regarding increased restrictions this afternoon, we will liaise with @ScotGov on the impact upon grassroots football. We will a provide further update in due course."

Most of Scotland will be placed in lockdown from Tuesday for the whole of January to tackle the rising spread of the new coronavirus strain, Sturgeon announced.

The First Minister said a legally enforceable stay-at-home order will apply from Tuesday to areas currently under level four - which includes all of mainland Scotland - while schools will remain closed for the rest of the month.

Sturgeon announced the changes in a statement at the Scottish Parliament, which was recalled from recess to discuss stricter measures, telling MSPs taking no action could see Covid-19 capacity in hospitals overrun within "three or four weeks".

She said: "We have an opportunity in Scotland to avert the situation here deteriorating to that extent but we must act quickly."