Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced new restrictions in Monday night TV coverage but elite sports are cheap; Professional sport in Scotland to continue after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon issues midnight home stay instructions
Last updated: 04/01/21 10:32 pm
2:10
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has instructed people to stay at home in a bid to control the new version of the coronavirus
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has instructed people to stay at home in a bid to control the new version of the coronavirus
Elite sport can continue behind closed doors during a new national lockout in England.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced new restrictions for the country, in a televised address Monday night, to counter the spread of coronavirus, especially the new variant, with measures expected to last until mid-February.
The Premier League and other elite sports have strict testing methods, including the Gallagher Premier League at rugby, and established Covid protocols.
Premier League football is not affected by the new coronavirus restrictions
New coronavirus restrictions have no impact on professional sport in Scotland, after Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon issued general instructions at home from midnight.
The news of the third national lockdown comes as the UK registered 58,784 new coronavirus cases on Monday – the highest total number daily since the outbreak began.
This is the seventh day in a series that there have been over 50,000 daily cases.
The UK had a coronavirus alert level increase from Level 4 to Level 5 for the first time Monday.
Golf courses and tennis courts to close
Under the new restrictions:
- People are asked to stay at home unless they have a specific reason to leave, such as those who work in the construction sector or are emergency workers.
- Exercise is allowed – preferably limited to once a day – by their family (or support bubble) or by one other family member, and you should not travel outside your local area.
The government has confirmed that outdoor team sports will not be allowed during the closure of leisure centers and gyms, as well as indoor and outdoor recreational facilities including:
Golf courses in England will close immediately
- swimming pools
- golf courses
- tennis courts
- bowling alleys
- dance studio
- equestrian centers at equestrian centers
- climbing walls and climbing centers
In response to the news, Golf England said they were “extremely disappointed by the news, having made a strong argument a few months ago to keep golf open at national locks and in the regional defense system” .
A statement from England Golf, which campaigned hard to reopen courses when they first closed, said: “We are sorry to share this news with you, but please be sure to follow us. We are able to reopen golf where possible. “
Lawn Tennis Association said: “Tennis is a sport with a social pace that is safe to play and allows people to go out and exercise with a friend or relative.
Swim England expressed its disappointment at the closure of pools and urged the government to “provide the necessary financial support to operators to get them through these difficult times. “
Chief executive Jane Nickerson said: “We will continue to fight for baths to be classified as essential services and free from any restrictions in the future.
“So many people with a range of physical and mental illnesses rely on water exercise to help them manage their condition.”
The Premier League, which was suspended in March before the first national lock, has suspended four fixtures since the beginning of December, including three last week, due to an outbreak. of the virus at Manchester City, Fulham and Newcastle.
However, England’s top airlines claim to have “confidence” in their Covid-19 protocols, with no plans to suspend the season despite a rise in progress.
The Premier League has yet to announce the results of its latest set of coronavirus tests, but a high-quarter figure of 18 positive coronavirus tests among players and staff has been confirmed between December 21-27.
The 72 clubs in the English Football League are being tested this week, and are expected to provide a picture of the extent of the injuries in the Championship, League One and League Two.
So far this season 52 games in all three divisions in the Football League have been postponed due to coronavirus cases.
The third round of the FA Cup – in which 32 games run over four days – starts on Friday.
‘Non-elite’ football postponed by the FA
While the Premier League and the EFL will be free under the new lockout measures, stages three to six of the National League system, stages three to seven of the women’s football pyramid and football among the population will stop.
The FA Cup will also be suspended as he is currently considered non-elite at this stage of the competition.
Read a statement from the Football Association: “Contact will continue with the Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, leagues, competitions and County Football Associations and we will provide further updates for the 2020-21 Women’s Sports FA Cup, Vase FA Buildbase and other -elite football where applicable.
“We would like to thank the football community once again for their hard work, courage and understanding at such a challenging time for the game and society at large.”
The government put almost all of England under Tier 3 or 4 coronavirus restrictions on December 30, which banned sports fans from attending games.
A maximum of 4,000 spectators have been re-admitted at outdoor events since 2 December in tier one areas, with up to 2,000 people rushed in Tier 2.
Meanwhile, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has also confirmed Sky Sports News that international football trends – and international travel from players – are unaffected by the latest lock, due to the release of elite sports.
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