The expert group appointed by Government to oversee sports’ plans to return from the Covid19 lockdown has urged caution around returning to training in the current Phase 1 of the process.
The Return to Sport Expert Group said anyone deciding to return
to training needed to stay within 5km of home. It added no arrangements should
be put in place that ran contrary to the public health measures in place.
For example, while four people were permitted to gather
in public under Phase 1, but must remain two metres apart, no effort should be
made to gather a number of groups of four in the same place to train.
However, while the expert group has been established to
monitor and guide national governing bodies of sport as their codes re-emerge
from lock-down, the governing bodies will devise their own plans.
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It means Cycling Ireland, for example, will formulate its
own return plans for cycling in the Republic.
They must comply with public health measures but the
expert group will not help formulate cycling’s plans, and those of other
sports, despite being established to ensure consistency in how sports are
returning.
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“It remains the responsibility of the sporting bodies to
make their own risk assessment on when to return to sport,” the Department of
Sport said.
The expert group first met on Thursday and will meet
again next Wednesday. After its first meeting it urged caution around training
during the current Phase 1, of five, as Covid19 restrictions will be gradually
eased.
“It is essential during Phase 1 that physical distancing
is maintained and that the 5km restriction be respected,” the Department said
of the group’s advice.
“The Expert Group also cautioned that it is not intended
that team sports would return during Phase 1.
“While groups of four people are permitted to exercise in
an outdoor setting, “pods of four” in larger groups which seek to replicate
team environments would be contrary to the general advice.
“The Expert Group also recommended that surfing, under
conditions set out by the Surfing Association, can be added to the list of
activities permitted under Phase 1.”
Minister for Sport Shane Ross added: “There is however no
question of rushing the return to sport. A cautious approach is essential and
all aspects of the public health advice must continue to be respected.”
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