No limit on indoor-sport gathering sizes

NEBALL at Les Ormes Fast Net Tournament Convent A v Convent B Picture:DAVID FERGUSON

Having unveiled their latest pandemic recovery roadmap on 5 March, the Government of Jersey have released further details relating to the gradual return of Island sport, including a green light for high-intensity indoor events for the first time in almost a year.

From Monday 15 March, all non-contact indoor activities can resume if accompanied by distancing restrictions, while it appears government officials have switched their stance on outdoor gathering sizes – seven days after announcing that the existing 35-person limit would remain in place until at least 12 April. A maximum capacity will remain – despite there being no similar restriction indoors – but it will instead stand at 45 people from next week. Deputy Hugh Raymond, Jersey’s political lead for sport, said the increase has arisen ‘because of the numbers’, as the Island’s Covid single-figure case-rate continued to hold steady.

It is understood that Jersey Sport, the independent body established to champion Island sport within the community, challenged the disparity between indoor and outdoor group limits but were told there would be ‘no change’ to the guidance.

As announced earlier in the month, up to 40 spectators could be allowed to attend outdoor events in April, on top of the 45 participants.

‘In practice you could have as many people as you like indoors, providing they are two metres apart, but we have to be sensible about it,’ said Raymond.

‘Forget about rugby versus football versus tennis – we’re all in this together now. A lot of people hate not being able to do anything because of the physical and mental effects on them. They’re all desperate to get out there.’

More in Saturday’s JEP.

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