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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Olivia Tobin

Groups of six can exercise together from Monday as government issues update on live sports

Groups of six will be able to exercise outside together from Monday, the government has said.

On Saturday, Culture and Sport Secretary Oliver Dowden said people in England will be able to exercise outdoors with up to five other people from different households.

People will be able to do this from Monday, he announced.

So long as strict social distancing guidelines are followed, Mr Dowden said groups will be able to do this.

It means a small number of people in sports teams will be able to resume fitness and conditioning sessions.

Physical contact sessions are still banned.

People from different households exercising together must remain at least two metres apart.

Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Oliver Dowden (Andrew Parsons/10 Downing Street/Crown Copyright/PA Wire)

Gatherings of more than six people from different households are still not permitted.

Mr Dowden also announced the return of live sports.

He said the Government wanted to "re-establish some normality in other parts of our lives" as he announced the return of live sport.

He told the Downing Street daily briefing: "For more than two months after sport stopped and after weeks of round-the-clock discussions with medical experts and professional sports bodies, I'm delighted to announce today that the Government has published guidance which allows competitive sport to resume behind closed doors from Monday at the earliest."

He said that: "Football, tennis, horseracing, Formula 1, cricket, golf, rugby, snooker and others are all set to return to our screens shortly."

Mr Dowden said various measures needed to be in place for sporting events to go ahead safely.

He told the daily briefing: "That includes a screening process for coronavirus symptoms at the venue, a one-way system for people and vehicles, minimising the use of dressing rooms and of course maintaining social distancing wherever that is possible."

He also set "two challenges" for the return of football, which has a "special place in our national life".

He said: "First, that a reasonable number of remaining Premier League games will be broadcast free-to-air.

"Second, that the financial benefits of returning will be shared throughout the entire football family.

"I'm glad to confirm today that a third of matches to finish the season will now be free to view including the Liverpool v Everton derby and live Premier League football will be on the BBC for the first time in its history."

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