What new sporting freedom means
Stampede back to the course, court and pitch finally begins today – but there are still strict guidelines to follow
hthe Which sport can I play from today?
All outdoor organised sport and physical activity for adults and children can return today. This will mean the reopening of numerous pitches, courts and tracks, as well as outdoor facilities such as swimming pools, golf courses, tennis courts, archery and riding centres and outdoor gyms.
Organised group activities, such as outdoor exercise classes, walking groups and competitive cycling and running can also take place again.
Activities must be organised according to Covid-secure protocols, which are drawn up by individual governing bodies and organisers.
Physical education in schools and extra-curricular school sports were already permitted from March 8 and there has been an exemption for disabled sport throughout lockdown.
Players are urged not to spit or shout when facing another person
What special rules are there for team sports such as football, cricket and rugby?
Football can be played according to its normal rules, but the Football Association has stressed there should be no handshakes, team huddles, goal celebrations and shared water bottles. Players are also urged not to spit and shout when facing another person. Only participants should retrieve a ball with their hands.
The community rugby season had been cancelled, but youth teams can hold friendlies and rugby clubs may now hold contact training sessions, excluding scrums and mauls. Training sessions should not exceed 20 minutes of contact.
Cricket training and friendlies can also take place, with most league programmes expected to start on time from the middle of next month. Participants are urged to avoid putting sweat or saliva on the ball, to clean their hands and the ball every six overs and encouraged to use only their own equipment.
Participants should arrive ready to play where possible for all sports and, although toilets can be accessed, all indoor changing rooms must remain closed. Participants must adhere to social distancing during breaks in play.
What about socially distanced sports such as tennis, golf and fishing?
Fishing has continued throughout lockdown according to strict protocols. Recreational tennis will be subject to the rule of six or two households, but both singles and doubles are permitted. Most clubs are now running waiting lists because of the surge in demand, with the Lawn Tennis Association reporting record-breaking sign-ups for local tennis leagues.
The rule of six means that fourballs are permitted in golf, but not in Wales, which is limited to twoballs. Clubhouses will remain shut for a few weeks – although drinks are allowed to be served outside – while players must abide by coronavirus rules, including not using bunker rakes, cleaning the pin and not shaking hands.
What about spectators and informal sport?
Spectators are still not allowed at any grass-roots sport or physical activity, although there are exceptions for disabled people or parents or carers who are supervising under-18s. There should be only one parent or guardian per child at football and they should not mix with people outside their household or support bubble.
People are also urged to minimise travel for sport and not share cars. Informal outdoor sport is subject to the rule-of-six limit or two households.
When will indoor sport return?
Some indoor sport will resume for children from April 12. Adults will then follow no earlier than May 17 – at the same time as the rule of six takes effect for indoor gatherings.
Changing rooms will also then be opened according to Covid-19 protocols.
There are already exemptions for sport that is being delivered for educational purposes, such as wraparound care and organised sport for disabled people.
When will indoor gyms, pools and leisure centres reopen?
Gyms will be allowed to reopen from April 12, but you cannot attend with people outside of your household, because indoor socialising is barred. Facilities were largely kept open last year between July and December and the sector is confident that it has proved it can operate in a Covid-secure way. The prevalence of Covid in gyms and leisure centres averaged at 1.7 cases per 100,000 people. They have established protocols around social distancing, ventilation and hygiene.
Indoor swimming pools and other indoor exercise venues will also reopen in the second stage of lockdown easing, which begins after Easter.