Guidance

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on the phased return of elite sport

Guidance for elite athletes and coaches on the phased return of elite sport.

Published 13 May 2020
Last updated 21 December 2020 — see all updates

• From: Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport

• Applies to: England

Documents

Elite sport Stage One - return to training

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Elite sport Stage Two - return to training

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Elite sport Stage Three - return to domestic competition

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Elite sport Stage Four - return to cross border competition

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Elite sport Stage Five - return to competition: safe return of spectators

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Details

National restrictions apply in England from 6 January.

Find out about the new restrictions and what you can and cannot do.

This page covers:

• Elite sport Stage One - return to training

• Elite sport Stage Two - return to training

• Elite sport Stage Three - return to domestic competition

• Elite sport Stage Four - return to cross border competition

• Elite sport Stage Five - return to competition: safe return of spectators.

If you are a member of the public or a sport provider, see:

– Coronavirus (COVID-19): grassroots sports guidance for the public and sport providers
– Coronavirus (COVID-19): grassroots sports guidance for safe provision including team sport, contact combat sport and organised sport events
– Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19) - providers of sports facilities

Published 13 May 2020
Last updated 21 December 2020 + show all updates

1. 21 December 2020

   Added Tier 4 (Stay at Home) information to Elite sport Stage Five - return to competition: safe return of spectators.

2. 14 December 2020

   Days to self-isolate changed in Phase 4 guidance from 14 to 10 days.

3. 30 November 2020

   Update to Elite sport Stage Five - return to competition: safe return of spectators, covering new local restriction tiers information.

4. 5 November 2020

   National restrictions update to intro

5. 2 November 2020

   Added 'national restrictions' callout box to guidance.

6. 26 October 2020

   Updated return to recreational team sport framework.

7. 1 October 2020

   Additions to Elite sport - return to cross border competition guidance, including FAQs (Annex B).

8. 30 September 2020

   Return to recreational team sport framework updated with 24 September guidance changes.

9. 18 September 2020

   Updated guidance covering personal trainers and coaching.

10. 15 September 2020

    Sports added to the team sports guidance list.

11. 10 September 2020

    Updated with 9 September changes to social contact.

12. 19 August 2020

    Spectator guidance added and updated.

13. 17 July 2020

    Added Elite sport - return to competition: safe return of spectators

14. 10 July 2020

    Added guidance on organising outdoor sport and physical activity events.

15. 9 July 2020

    Added the Return to recreational team sport framework and added a link to guidance for providers of grassroots sport and gym/leisure facilities.

16. 7 July 2020

    Added Elite sport - return to cross border competition guidance.

17. 30 June 2020

    Updated to include new guidance from 4 July 2020.

18. 1 June 2020

    Updated guidance for the public, personal trainers, coaches and provider of an outdoor sport facilities.

19. 30 May 2020

    Added Elite Sport - Return to Domestic Competition Guidance.

20. 25 May 2020

    Added Elite sport return to training guidance: Step Two.

21. 13 May 2020

    First published.