Professional sport has come close to a recovery after the government released the “level two” of its guidelines that allow for competitive and close-to-contact training.
The guidelines, published in collaboration with public health officials and sports doctors, allow for organized training in close contact under carefully controlled medical conditions.
The consultation aims to set out the conditions for the third Phase of the process, which is expected to be carried out next month with a resumption of the sport, including Premier League games, behind closed doors.
The guide makes it clear that close contact training for top athletes can include tight coaching and tackling in team sport, so players can be fit.
Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston said: “this new guide marks the recent step in a carefully graduated training process for top athletes, designed to limit the risk of injury and protect the health and safety of everyone involved.
“We fully understand that individual sports need to check whether they have the medical conditions carefully controlled before they can continue and ensure the trust of athletes, coaches and support staff.
“Given the important contributions we have received from medical experts, we believe that these pragmatic measures should provide more security to create a safe and competitive training environment, as we are working towards a restart of professional sport behind closed doors if it is safe.”
Taekwondo stars Jade Jones and Bianca Walkden will return to training next week (Barrington Combs / PA)
Premier League football clubs resumed non-contact training last week, while other sports, including sailing and taekwondo, began the process of returning to action in socially distant environments.
However, there remains some reluctance to return with a number of football players, including Watford captain Troy Deeney and Chelsea’s N’golo Kante, citing health issues in their respective choices.
Some Olympic and Paralympic sports, particularly those hosted in multi-sport centres such as the English Institute of Sheffield, have yet to decide when they can resume their activities.
The government published on May 13 the first phase of its guidelines outlining the conditions for a first return to education, which are subject to a series of strict rules of social detachment.
He stressed that the decision to implement the recent guidelines in consultation with athletes, coaches and facilitators will be the responsibility of the respective sports associations and associations.
Current social distancing rules will continue to apply during the training trip, equipment sharing will be avoided as much as possible and common areas should remain closed for the most part.
