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Professional sport has received clearance to continue after stringent new lockdown rules were announced Monday night, but there are warnings of a further decline in activity levels for everyone else after the fields were told. golf courses, tennis courts, and outdoor gyms that had to close. for at least seven weeks.
Organized under-18 team sport is also now on hold under new rules announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson. And with most indoor gyms and swimming pools now closed under Level 4 restrictions imposed across most of England in December, most people’s activity will be limited to cycling, running or walking outdoors, what is allowed with another person, or exercise at home until 22. February. However, disabled sports and elite youth competitions will get exemptions and golf is still allowed in Scotland.
While acknowledging that the measures were necessary to prevent the spread of new variants of the coronavirus, ukactive, which represents more than 4,000 gyms and leisure centers, also warned that they would inevitably “sound the alarm” for jobs and companies in the world. sector and warned. of the risks to people’s physical and mental health.
Ukactive CEO Huw Edwards said: “The additional restrictions show the severity of this new chapter in the fight against Covid-19 and it is crucial that they are respected. But we also know that despite positive government stimulus, physical activity levels fell dramatically and significantly during previous lockdowns. UK governments must protect this sector before it’s too late. “
Operators of all sizes in the UK are sounding the alarm that their businesses are unsustainable and face substantial job losses if they are forced to close again without a comprehensive package of personalized financial and regulatory support. “
The elite sport was given the green light to continue despite more than 50 matches in the Premier League, the English Football League and the National League postponed since Christmas, with the government satisfied with the safety precautions in place for training and the competition.
There are also no plans for the Premier League or Football League to impose a “circuit cutoff”, although they are preparing for further postponements in the coming days with the 92 clubs from the first four English divisions having Covid tests this week. So far, only Premier League players have been screened regularly, and lower league clubs rely on testing after symptoms emerge and on contact tracing.
The Women’s Super League will continue, as will the women’s second division, the Championship, but all other women’s leagues in England will be suspended, including the FA Women’s Cup, as it does not have elite status.
Soccer’s policy of keep calm and carry on was questioned by Rochdale CEO David Bottomley, who said it was “inevitable” that the Football League would have to temporarily suspend games due to the increase in coronavirus cases.
He said: ‘Hospitals across the UK are being told that they will face a massive spike in Covid cases, so who are we in football to try and add to that situation?
