Big questions on navigating PM’S roadmap answered
Q
What was announced yesterday and what does it mean for sport?
A
Boris Johnson’s roadmap out of lockdown had implications for every aspect of sport that has been ravaged during the coronavirus crisis. As trailed by The Daily Telegraph, the reopening of schools – and return of school sport – was confirmed for March 8, with adult and children’s grass-roots sport following on March 29. But there were also further announcements about the reopening of gyms and leisure centres and the return of mass crowds at outdoor events.
Q
When will football fans be back in stadiums?
A
It could be as early as April, with the Government confirming a series of crowd pilots, including reduced social distancing. That would be followed by a planned May 17 return of fans capped at 10,000 or a quarter of a stadium’s capacity, whichever is smaller, just in time for the end of the Premier League season. The FA Cup final on May 15 is certain to be among the pilots, with the Football Association having been told new steps built to replace a ramp on Wembley Way must be used by 10,000 spectators ahead of the European Championship. The April 25 Carabao Cup final between Manchester City and Tottenham could also be a pilot event if ministers agree to allow fans outside London to travel to Wembley. Indoor events will be capped at 1,000 people or 50 per cent capacity.
Q
Which clubs and fans will benefit?
A
Manchester City and their supporters if they continue their record-breaking march to glory. They host Everton on the final day of the season and could be presented with the Premier League trophy in front of City fans. They are also in the Carabao Cup final and FA Cup quarter-finals, and few would bet against them repeating their 2019 domestic treble. Fulham host Newcastle United on the final day of the season in a potential relegation decider. Cash-starved lower-league clubs will be hoping the pilots are widespread enough for them to get some fans back in before their season ends on May 8.
Q
What about this summer’s European Championship?
A The Government has given itself wriggle room to scale up numbers, with its roadmap declaring June 21 as the date Britain can return to “as close to normal as possible”. That is in the middle of the European Championship finals and has raised hopes there could be 90,000 in Wembley for the latter stages of the tournament, but sources have warned that capacity crowds are highly unlikely before it ends. For example, talks have taken place around the possibility of 24,000 fans – around a quarter capacity – inside Wembley for England v Scotland on June 18.
Q
And what about other sports?
A
The Telegraph disclosed two weeks ago how the Prime Minister had one eye on Wimbledon in his plans. Tickets to the All England Club for the fortnight will be more sought-after than ever. Premiership Rugby will also be delighted as, due to extensions in the calendar, the competition now gets almost an entire month of welcoming crowds. In cricket, Lord’s, which had become one of the first venues to start selling tickets in December, will also be breathing a sigh of relief that its preparations have paid off.
Q
What will the entry requirements be?
A
The same strict protocols which applied when spectators were briefly allowed to return last year will likely be in force again. There has also been talk of those attending sporting events being sent rapid Covid-19 testing kits with their tickets. All sports say they are open to the possibility of on-site digital passport checks, but there are reservations within Whitehall.
Q
When will I be able to play sport again?
A
As trailed by The Telegraph, the first organised sport to resume will be that within schools when they reopen on March 8, followed by all outdoor adult and children’s sport on March 29. It was confirmed that May 17 would be the date when indoor sport resumes – at the same time as the rule of six takes effect for indoor gatherings.
Q
When will gyms, swimming pools and leisure centres reopen?
A
They will be allowed to reopen for use by individuals and members of their own household to exercise together from April 12. Facilities were largely kept open last year between July and December, even in Tier 4 areas, and the sector is confident that it has proved it can operate in a Covidsecure way. Swim England wants special dispensation for pools to provide statutory swimming lessons to schools and also essential health and well-being services. These often provide pain management and the opportunity for people who cannot get active on land to exercise.