TOMORROW sees grassroots sport make a welcome return to Somerset after the latest Covid-19 lockdown.
Schools and colleges have been back since March 8 - allowing youth sport to return - and now the latest relaxation of restrictions is set to take place across England.
It means an end to the ‘stay at home’ rule, and people can meet outside - either with one other household or within the ‘rule of six’ - although they are still urged to stay local as much as possible.
These new guidelines allow for outdoor sport facilities (including basketball and tennis courts, and golf courses) to reopen, and for formally organised outdoor sports (such as football and rugby) to restart.
Taunton’s Vivary Golf and Adventure Centre will welcome golfers back on Monday, and outdoor tennis will resume at Blackbrook Leisure Centre - both of those facilities being run by Everyone Active.
READ MORE: Golf and adventure centre set to reopen next week
The greenkeeping staff at Minehead & West Somerset Golf Club, Oake Manor Golf Club, Orchardleigh Golf Club (Frome), Taunton & Pickeridge Golf Club and Wells Golf Club have been working hard ahead of reopening - but golfers will need to check if tee times are to be pre-booked online at their local course.
Frome Selwood Tennis Club, Minehead Tennis Club, Trull Tennis Club, Wellington Tennis Club, Wells Tennis Club and Wiveliscombe Tennis Club will also be open again, albeit with Covid-19 rules in place.
Team sports being allowed to resume enables footballers to return to training, with friendly matches and some cup fixtures set to be played in the next couple of months.
Football Association guidance (here) states that players “should avoid travel at the busiest times and routes, as well as minimising any unnecessary journeys where possible”.
Changing rooms must remain closed, and spectators are not allowed at this point.
England Netball, meanwhile, has published guidance for the return of that sport here.
Cricket also has the go-ahead to restart tomorrow, with teams returning to training ahead of the start of West of England Premier League and Somerset Cricket League fixtures on Saturday, May 1.
The England & Wales Cricket Board has published guidance for players here.
What’s still to come?
From Monday, April 12 - providing that Covid-19 cases continue to fall - indoor leisure venues such as gyms and swimming pools will reopen, albeit without indoor mixing between different households.
The third step of the government ‘roadmap’ out of lockdown is to follow on Monday, May 17, when the ‘rule of six’ is to be abolished for outdoor gatherings, and replaced with a limit of 30 people - enabling sports fans to return to games.
Six people or two households will also be able to meet indoors from May 17, meaning that indoor group sports and exercise classes can restart.
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