The plans will impact different sports at different times and those sports where social distancing is possible get the green light as early as May 18th while others, like rugby, will have to wait for much longer (Photo: Jim Halferty)

While the Covid19 lock-down restrictions have been extended for two more weeks, to May 18th, people will be permitted from early next week, May 5th, to exercise in a larger area away from their homes.

At present people have only been permitted to exercise within a 2km radius of home, but this is being increased to 5km, from May 5th.

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The Government has set out a plan for the re-starting of sport. The plan will allow some sports to resume earlier than others, with those sports where socially distancing is possible set to get the green light first.

But even sports like rugby, wrestling and boxing will be permitted - all going well with containment of the virus - from August 10th.

Cycling is not mentioned in the plan, which is set out below; indeed, most sports are not specifically mentioned.

However, the Department of Health has clarified that all exercise - including cycling - must be done within the exercise zones. That means cyclists can only ride within a 5km zone of home from from May 6th to June 8th.

From June 9th until July 20th, cycling will only be allowed within a 20km radius of home. And from July 20th the "exercise zones" are dropped and cyclists will be able to ride freely again, though it is unclear if they will be able to do so in a group at that point.

Phase 1: May 18^th

Phase 2 June 8^th

General restrictions in place for Irish society: 20km from home exercise radius. Continue to avoid unnecessary journeys.

Permit people to engage in outdoor sporting and fitness activities, involving small group team sports training (but not matches) where social distancing can be maintained and where there is no contact.

Phase 3 June 29^th

General restrictions in place for Irish society: 20km from home exercise radius. Continue to avoid unnecessary journeys

Permit “behind closed doors” sporting activities events where arrangements are in place to enable participants to maintain social distancing.

Phase 4 July 20^th

General restrictions in place for Irish society: Extend travel to outside your region, no reference to unnecessary journeys.

Permit sports team leagues (e.g. soccer and GAA) but only where limitations are placed on the numbers of spectators and where social distancing can be maintained
Open public swimming pools where effective cleaning can be carried out and social distancing can be maintained.

Phase 5 August 10th

General restrictions in place for Irish society: No reference to exercise zones and no reference to unnecessary journeys.

Permit close physical contact sports (rugby, boxing, wrestling).
Open gyms, exercise, dance studios and sports clubs, only where regular and effective cleaning can be carried out and social distancing can be maintained.
Permit sports spectatorship which involve mass gatherings only in accordance with both indoor and outdoor numbers restrictions and where social distancing can be complied with.

Public health rationale for 'Sports Plan'

(The above plan) recognises need to balance social distancing with physical, cultural and social needs, to support mental and physical health and well being.

The public health rationale is to lift restrictions in such a way as to protect the ability to maintain social distancing prerequisite, thereby limiting the transmission rate and protect the capacity of the health system to cope with the inevitable increase in disease.

This will be done where the visiting population density can be minimised. Restrictions on sporting, entertainment, culinary and cultural sites to be relaxed on phased basis linked to ability to maintain social distance, with emphasis on sport and exercise in the initial and early phases, and social aspects in the later phases.