Is elite sport cancelled? How latest lockdown rules affect Premier League and other major sports

Boris Johnson has confirmed greater restrictions across the country to combat the virus

Elite sport including professional football will continue despite the UK’s tightening Covid-19 restrictions amid a surge in coronavirus cases across Britain, the government has confirmed. 

On Monday evening Boris Johnson confirmed greater restrictions across the country to combat the virus.

The Premier League and the English Football League have had to postpone some games in recent weeks as outbreaks of the virus have hit clubs including Newcastle United, Manchester City and Fulham, with 32 December matches from England’s top four tiers to be rescheduled. But they leagues remain confident in their model of regular testing which has so far allowed the 2020-21 season to go ahead. 

Outdoor team sports at grassroots level will no longer be permitted, while golf, tennis and outdoor gyms have also been ruled out. 

Elite sportspeople and their coaches if necessary will still be able to compete and train. However, a March-style full lockdown due to concerns of rising Covid-19 cases means outdoor gyms, swimming pools, tennis courts, archery/driving/shooting ranges and riding arenas must all close.

Outdoor team sports and golf will be prohibited in England, although the latter will be allowed to continue in small groups in Scotland.

Organised outdoor sport for disabled people is also able to continue.

Professional sport in Scotland has also been given the go-ahead to carry on regardless despite First Minister Nicola Sturgeon introducing strict new measures too. Sturgeon has ordered a March-style full lockdown amid concerns over rising cases across the country, but Scottish football clubs and their rugby counterparts have been told they can continue to train and play as normal.

The Scottish Government has released an exemption list, which states "those involved in professional sports, for training, coaching or competing in an event" are among those allowed to leave their homes.

A Scottish Football Association statement read: "Following the First Minister's announcement regarding increased restrictions this afternoon, we will liaise with ScotGov on the impact upon grassroots football. We will a provide further update in due course."

Most of Scotland will be placed in lockdown from Tuesday for the whole of January to tackle the rising spread of the new coronavirus strain, Sturgeon has announced.

The First Minister said a legally-enforceable stay-at-home order will apply from Tuesday to areas currently under Level 4 - which includes all of mainland Scotland - while schools will remain closed for the rest of the month.

Sturgeon announced the changes in a statement at the Scottish Parliament, which was recalled from recess to discuss stricter measures, telling MSPs taking no action could see Covid-19 capacity in hospitals overrun within "three or four weeks".

She said: "We have an opportunity in Scotland to avert the situation here deteriorating to that extent but we must act quickly."

The Vitality Netball Legends Series between the Vitality Roses and Jamaica Sunshine Girls, scheduled to take place in England at the end of this month, has been postponed due to ongoing coronavirus issues.

Additional reporting by PA