Covid-19: Some sports can resume but not in hotspots

The Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, today announced the regulations that would guide the opening of non-contact sports and training under level three lockdown.

“The announcement of amended regulations under level three is indeed going to see the gradual introduction of various sectoral activities, however, under strict adherence to safety measures, as outlined under the Disaster Management regulations,” Mthethwa said.

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

“Let me take this opportunity and applaud our sector for the discipline demonstrated since the commencement of the lockdown period.

“The 100 per cent adherence to the lockdown regulations by ensuring that no sectoral activity took place during this time has indeed played a tremendous role in assisting with the reduction of the spread of Covid-19.”

The Minister said there were a number of directions and steps needed to manage Covid-19 by preventing local transmission.

The lifting of regulations will allow professional non-contact sports to host sport events without spectators, as well as allow professional athletes to train irrespective of whether it is a contact or non-contact sport.

This means that training for both contact and non-contact sports will resume under strict regulations.

The Minister announced that all sportsgrounds, fields and swimming pools would be opened for non-contact sport and training.

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

“Training for professional athletes may resume in compliance with health protocols and without spectators,” he said.

Mthethwa added that all sporting bodies must inform his office in writing of the intended day sports and training would resume.

This is to be done within 14 days of the publication of the regulations.

Additionally, sporting bodies must also provide safety guidelines for the testing of all officials before the resumption of training and matches.

All clubs and sporting bodies must also implement procedures for workforce contact tracing, following employee Covid-19 tests.

He added that clubs and athletes, as well as support staff must be subjected to a 14-day quarantine period pending the results of Covid-19 tests.

“Only determined professional non-contact sports may resume matches after compliance with all provisions set out in the directions,” he said.

The transportation of athletes and support staff must comply with traffic regulations, and athletes and support staff who test positive may not be allowed to train or participate in matches.

Additionally, athletes, support staff and journalists must be subjected to temperature screening before they enter a venue or stadium and anyone with a suspected high temperature will not be granted access to the premises.

“The resumption of sports training and matches in areas identified as hotspots is prohibited,” he said.

Stadiums, sports fields, sports grounds, dressing rooms and other facilities must be sanitised before training and matches.

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

It is also the responsibility of venue owners to ensure frequently used surfaces including tables, gym equipment, security touchpads, touch screens and toilets are regularly sanitised.

Professional athletes will not be required to wear masks during training and matches and they may only eat pre-packed individual meals.

There will be no sharing of water bottles.

“Physical distancing during training is encouraged,” the Minister said.

Activities which are prohibited under the updated regulations include massages, ice baths and saunas, as well as physical therapy, expect when used to treat an injured athlete.

“We as a department are committed to rebuilding a better society towards the advancement of the sector beyond Covid-19,” Mthethwa said.

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