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What the new Tier 4 means for sport and physical activity in England

A new level of coronavirus restrictions comes into force across London and the south east on Sunday 20 December.

19th December 2020

On Saturday 19 December, the Prime Minister announced that a new tier of coronavirus (Covid-19) restrictions would be introduced across certain parts of England.

Tier 4 will initially apply to London and the south east and comes into force on Sunday 20 December.

The new regulations will have implications for sport and physical activity, and we’re working with the government to provide comprehensive guidance as to what is and isn’t allowed within this tier.

We’ll update our website as soon as we can, but in the meantime, we can confirm the following applies across tier 4:

  • People can exercise outdoors or visit some public outdoor places, such as parks, the countryside, public gardens or outdoor sports facilities. They can continue to do unlimited exercise alone, or in a public outdoor place with their household, support bubble, or one other person.
  • Outdoor sports facilities are allowed to open and can be used by individual households, bubbles or two people from different households. This applies to outdoor sports courts, outdoor gyms, golf courses, outdoor swimming pools, archery/driving/shooting ranges, riding centres and playgrounds.
  • Organised outdoor sport for under-18s (including those who were under 18 on 31 August 2020) and disabled people is allowed.
  • Indoor sport is allowed for under-18s for educational purposes or to facilitate childcare that enables parents or carers to work, seek work or take part in education.
  • Adult sport can't take place indoors under any circumstances, with gyms and swimming pools having to close. 
  • There are no exceptions for disabled people taking part in sport or physical activity indoors.

We know these new regulations will spark many questions from the sport and physical activity sector and we'll update our frequently asked questions as soon as possible.

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