Sport is set to be largely unaffected by new limitations on social gatherings expected to be announced by the government on Wednesday.
New coronavirus restrictions are set to reduce the number of people legally allowed to meet socially from 30 to six.
The nationwide limit, which will operate across England, has sparked concern over where that leaves recreational sport which has recently resumed.
But the government is set to confirm that organised team sports taking place in a Covid secure way are amongst the reasonable exemptions.
That means the likes of football, cricket and rugby, now taking place with protocols in place, will be free to continue.
Individual sports such as golf and tennis are also set to be allowed to continue as long as gatherings remain less than six people and protocols are adhered to.
Elite sport still remains under different approved guidelines which will see the Premier League season resume behind closed doors this weekend.
The changes will come into effect from Monday in a bid to control the virus.
Any gathering of more than six people will be illegal unless it meets one of the exemptions, with work or education activities, weddings and funerals amongst other exemptions which will be published on gov.uk before the law changes.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to say: “We need to act now to stop the virus spreading. So we are simplifying and strengthening the rules on social contact – making them easier to understand and for the police to enforce.
“It is absolutely critical that people now abide by these rules and remember the basics – washing your hands, covering your face, keeping space from others, and getting a test if you have symptoms.”
