Boxing clever on lockdown
Cleland boxer Stephen Newns is calling on everyone to obey the lockdown guidelines after the Team Scotland boxer tested positive for COVID-19 without even knowing.
The 22-year-old elite scrapper has revealed he felt fit and healthy before he tested positive for the virus.
He now fears others risk doing the same amid the easing of Scottish Government and UK Government guidelines.
Newns, who previously appeared at Commonwealth Games for Scotland, had been staying in lockdown and admits it was a “huge surprise” when he got the results.
He said: “As soon as the lockdown was announced me and my family have been self isolating and only ever in the house.
“We have only popped to the shops or taken food to my gran and grandpa’s.
“When it did come back positive I just had to try and keep myself healthy; get a good night’s sleep, eat right and stay hydrated and stuff like that.
“I had to keep an eye on the exercise I’m doing, so with the Scotland team and the stuff they have given us to do I was advised to take my rest period and gradually ease back into training.
“I’m grateful that myself and my family are feeling well and have had no symptoms of coronavirus. I’m appreciating everything I’ve got and looking after myself.”
He urged locals to stay at home and stay safe to try and stop the spread.
Newns continued: “If people are saying the restrictions are getting eased they might take it the wrong way.
“I believe there is a lot of people who will be the same as myself. They will be carriers and don’t know or will feel absolutely fine.
“They might have someone in their house who is vulnerable and they should be sensible. “Keep up the guidelines and stay at home.” The welterweight star has been doing his best to stay fit and keep himself fit despite the shutdown of sport across the country.
He added: “We’ve got some equipment at the house and was lucky to get some off the boxing club. It is different not having the gym environment or sparring, but being a boxer you have been social distancing by missing out on things like parties to sit at home.
“It’s not too different and it’s just a matter of keeping positive.
“I’m looking to the future and Scotland are looking to take us abroad once all this is over.
“I’ve finished my HND course in Fitness, Health and Exercise and submit the work so there are things to look forward to.”