'Rule of six' to be applied to adult indoor team sports

Via Sport England

Following yesterday’s announcement on new rules for adults playing team sports indoors, Sport England have pulled together answers to some of the key questions.

With coronavirus cases increasing, from tomorrow (Thursday) non-disabled people aged 18 and over will need to adhere to the ‘rule of six’ if they’re playing team sports indoors – this means playing in a group of no more than six people.

Team sports that have already had guidance approved by the government for the safe playing of their sport can continue to use that guidance, provided they now limit the number of people aged 18 and over playing indoors to six.

They have collated answers to some common questions, but below is a summary of what can continue:

• Indoor team sports involving children aged under 18, played formally and under government-approved guidance
• Indoor team sports involving disabled adults aged 18 and over, played formally and under government-approved guidance, including groups of more than six following social distancing.
• Use of indoor sport and leisure facilities, including gyms and swimming pools
• Organised indoor activities or exercise classes (these can take place in larger numbers, provided groups of more than six do not mix and the facility meets the government’s indoor facility guidance)
• Outdoor sports played formally and under government-approved guidance
• Outdoor sport and physical activity events following event-organiser guidance
• Informal indoor or outdoor sport and physical activity in groups of six or fewer while social distancing and following government guidance, and guidance from the sport’s governing body.

They also know yesterday’s announcements will be difficult for elite sport, particularly not being able to welcome crowds back to sporting events, and they welcome news that the government is speaking directly to all those affected to support the challenges this unprecedented period continues to bring. They are involved in these discussions between the government and a number of sporting organisations on their financial challenges, and they're also supporting leisure operators in their conversations with the government about possible financial support.