Updated guidelines on recreational and elite cricket in England under new COVID-19 restrictions
DCMS and Sport England have released guidance on outdoor exercise in England during the period of enhanced national restrictions, which starts on 5th November.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and Sport England have released the clarification here on outdoor exercise in England during the lockdown period between 5th November and 2nd December.
The ECB have reviewed the DCMS guidance and have issued the following answers to some commonly asked questions -
Is a cricket ground classed as a public open space?
No, privately owned cricket clubs are private outdoor spaces (in the same way as golf courses) and therefore not open to the public
Can a club use it’s nets for 1 to 1 coaching?
No. Clubs should not be organising any activity using their facilities including the nets.
Can a self-employed coach use a cricket club for coaching?
No. Cricket clubs are considered to be ‘private clubs’ and therefore should not be used for this kind of activity.
If my club is in a public park, can we use the ground for 1 to 1 coaching?
No. Cricket clubs should not be allowing or encouraging anyone to use the cricket club facilities for cricket activity.
Can a player under the age of 18 be coached 1 to 1 in a public space?
No. Coaches should always avoid being 1 to 1 with a player under the age of 18.
Can extra-curricular sessions be run after school?
Yes. Oliver Dowden has updated the original guidance and after school clubs are allowed to support enhanced physical activity for children and to offer provide enhanced child care to support working parents
You can still travel to spend time for exercise outdoors, for example to access an open space, but should look to reduce the number of journeys you make and wherever possible, exercise should be done locally.
There’s no limit on the amount of time spent exercising outdoors, or the amount of times per day you exercise outdoors.
Schools are able to work with external coaches, clubs and organisations for curricular activities where they’re satisfied that it’s safe to do so during school hours.
Where schools are offering extra-curricular activities (that is, before and after school clubs) they should only do so where it’s reasonably necessary to support parents to work, search for work, or undertake training or education, or where the provision is being used for the purposes of respite care. Schools should consider carefully how such arrangements can operate within their wider protective measures.
Competition between different schools shouldn’t take place, in line with the wider restrictions on grassroots sport.
Sport and physical education as part of education and training can continue. Outdoor sports should be prioritised where possible, and large indoor spaces used where it’s not. Colleges should maximise distancing between consistent student groups and pay scrupulous attention to cleaning and hygiene and use maximum fresh air ventilation through either opening doors and windows or ventilation systems.
Competition between different colleges shouldn’t take place, in line with the wider restrictions on grassroots sport.
Professional cricket that is classified as elite by the UK Government can continue as an exemption during this period.
Hospitality venues such as cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars and social clubs must close; with the exception of providing food and drink for takeaway (before 10pm; including alcohol), click-and-collect, drive-through or delivery, if purchased and distributed via the following methods: making deliveries in response to orders received, through a website, or otherwise by on-line communication, by telephone, including orders by text message, or by post.
Whilst school sport can continue as an exemption during this period, university sport must be suspended. Coach education programmes can continue where this cannot be undertaken online.
The health and wellbeing of everyone in the cricket community has been and remains our number one priority and we are in dialogue with DCMS about how recreational cricket activity can return safely once the national lockdown ends.
The ECB Guidance for Indoor Activity, as agreed with DCMS prior to lockdown, is below. At this time this guidance is superseded by the information above.
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