Sporting events in England are set to restart today, the first of June, after the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) gave the go-ahead. Newcastle will be the site of the initial horse racing competition since the middle of March this afternoon.
All domestic sporting leagues and tournaments were called off or put on hold since the UK went into lockdown on the 23rd of March, although many events were already suspended before the government implemented steps to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19).
In recent weeks, many prominent UK sports organizations have been devising plans to resume activities once the government permitted. The Premier League last week announced its intention to recommence on the 17th of June, while the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) also unveiled a revised racing schedule beginning on the 1st of June.
Oliver Dowden, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, confirmed yesterday that professional sports can now restart, albeit with considerable limitations, and all events will be held without spectators.
Alternative actions include frequent testing for all individuals participating in the event, keeping a safe distance as much as possible, implementing one-way movement for people and vehicles within the location, and assigning a COVID-19 supervisor for the contest and organization to oversee these actions.
“This is a crucial moment for British athletics,” stated Dowden. “We are working closely with medical professionals to create the safest possible environment for everyone involved.
“These standards provide a secure framework for sporting events to restart behind closed doors. Now, individual sports need to confirm they can comply with these protocols and determine when it is appropriate for them to resume.”
Racing will recommence this afternoon, with Newcastle Racecourse hosting ten contests starting at 1pm BST. Newcastle will host another gathering tomorrow, while Kempton Park will also host its first gathering since the shutdown.
The British Horseracing Authority welcomed the government’s decision to allow sporting events to restart, stating the return of racing would preserve jobs and businesses across the industry. Races will be held under new regulations, which were developed by the BHA’s Chief Medical Advisor, Dr Jerry Hill, in collaboration with Public Health England and medical officials from other sports.
“This is a significant step in the complete return of our industry, which will help to safeguard jobs and businesses,” said BHA Chief Executive Nick Rust.
The resumption of horse racing is vital for the breeding sector, and we express our gratitude for the assistance provided by the government, along with officials from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and Public Health England, in organizing a secure return to racing. We still have a significant distance to cover before we can fully recommence operations, but this is a robust and globally leading sector, and we are prepared to confront the challenge.
The British Horseracing Authority, the governing body for horse racing in the UK, also welcomed the government’s authorization, with Chief Executive Delia Bushell stating that the return of racing is essential to the livelihoods of numerous individuals.
Bushell stated: “The lockdown has been an exceptionally difficult period for our industry, and the return will be a protracted process. Throughout British racing, we have invested a substantial amount of planning, effort, and care to ensure we can return to racing in the most responsible manner possible.
“While we are not a contact sport, we have still implemented comprehensive plans to establish the safest possible environment for participants. And, because our horses have been maintained in training throughout the shutdown to ensure their well-being, we are able to resume swiftly.”
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