Covid-19: Training for contact and non-contact sports can resume

Sports, Arts, and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa said government will do everything it can to soften the blow of the Covid-19 pandemic on artists and athletes.

The Minister said the sports, arts, and culture sectors will be the hardest hit as numerous events and tournaments have and will still be postponed.

Also read: Covid-19: ‘Continuation of lockdown in the way it was imposed is no longer sustainable’ – Mkhize

“As we close off Africa Month, on the back of Africa Day which was celebrated on May 25, we are not only celebrating our proud heritage, it is also a time to check on the progress made on unifying our continent,” the Minister said.

The department is taking huge strides to alleviate the impact of the virus.

Over R200-million was set aside to assist artists, athletes and technical personnel.

Artists have to adhere to strict rules in order to obtain some of the funds and many have been declined, but are allowed to appeal.

Also read: Covid-19: ‘We are not out of the woods yet’ – Karim

On the sports front, training for contact and non-contact sports is allowed to resume from June 1.

Only players, match officials, journalists, and medical and television crews will be allowed at the matches, provided they have their temperatures taken before entry.

All stadiums and sports training facilities must be thoroughly and hygienically cleaned.

Dear reader,

As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.