Coronavirus Lockdown: Outdoor sports resume as England’s rules are eased – Sky Sports

Team sports will resume and friends and families will be able to meet outdoors from Monday in a major easing of England’s coronavirus lockdown rules.

Outdoor sports facilities can reopen and groups of up to six, or two households, can socialise in parks and gardens once more, after the stay-at-home order ended.

Among the first to re-open its doors was the Morley Hayes Golf Club, near Derby, with players teeing off at 12.01am on Monday for a seven-hole floodlit charity tournament.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson stressed that “we must remain cautious, with cases rising across Europe and new variants threatening our vaccine rollout”, while warm weather was expected to accompany the relaxation.

1:50

It may have been a chilly morning in west London but that didn’t stop several swimmers – and an inflatable flamingo – from returning to Hillingdon Lido, as lockdown restrictions on outdoor activities are eased

“Despite today’s easements, everyone must continue to stick to the rules, remember hands, face, space, and come forward for a vaccine when called,” he added.

He is expected to urge the public to take personal responsibility by sticking to the restrictions as he holds a Downing Street press conference.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Oliver Dowden, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, said: “I’m absolutely delighted; after this dreadful long winter of Covid, spring is in the air and grassroots sports is returning.

1:20

Oliver Dowden, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, talks about the relaxation of restrictions that have allowed grassroots sports to finally start again following the COVID-19 lockdown

“We said when we into these dreadful restrictions, grassroots sports should be the last in and the first out. Today we’re delivering on that. Sports is essential to everyone’s sense of health and wellbeing.

“The terrible thing about this disease is that it spreads through social interaction, and it also spreads more indoors than outdoors. That’s why to begin with we’re allowing the resumption of outdoor activities – outdoor grassroots sports and outdoor social mixing, subject to the rule of six and two households.

2:29

Sport England chief executive Tim Hollingsworth says the return of outdoor sport is a huge boost to the nation’s health and well-being

“At the next stage we will look to return indoor activities, so that would include swimming and gyms.”

Football and cricket pitches, tennis and basketball courts, outdoor swimming pools, golf courses and sailing clubs are now free to reopen after months of being shuttered.

Organised team sports can also resume outdoors, meaning grassroots competitions can take place ahead of the Easter break without the need for social distancing.

0:59

At midnight, Government restrictions were lifted on some grassroots sports participation across England – and we caught up with some golfers in Derbyshire who were ready to tee off as the clock struck 12

Mr Johnson said he hopes the easing will “kick-start a Great British summer of sport” as sports stars teamed up with the Government to encourage a return to physical activity.

England’s World Cup-winning cricket captain Eoin Morgan said: “With summer – and the cricket season – just around the corner, there’s no better time for everyone, young and old, to get back to having fun by getting outdoors, being active and playing sport.”

British number one women’s tennis player Johanna Konta said: “I’m so happy people in England are now able to get back on court and enjoy the mental and physical health benefits of tennis.”

England rugby union prop Kyle Sinckler added: “I can’t wait to see you guys get out there, and all the kids getting back out there to enjoy themselves.”

from WordPress https://ift.tt/3u5WVB6
via IFTTT