Extracts from a statement in the Scottish Parliament on Covid-19
(Next Steps)
The First Minister ():
...sports coaches will be able to meet groups from more than four
households in a single day, and we will shortly confirm when they
can work with larger groups.
...We also hope that organised outdoor contact sports will
resume for people of all ages and that from 24 August some other
indoor facilities, such as bingo halls and similar venues that are
mentioned in the route map, can reopen with physical distancing.
...We hope that further changes will be possible
from 14 September...For example, we hope that sports stadia will
be able to reopen from that date, with limited numbers of
spectators and with physical distancing in place. Some
professional sports events might be arranged for spectators
before then, with the Scottish Government’s agreement, to test
the safety of any new arrangements.
We also hope that indoor sports
courts for some activities can reopen from 14 September, with
physical distancing, and we will consider whether indoor
classes for children can resume earlier than that. It is also
our intention that indoor soft-play facilities will reopen from
14 September.
(Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP):
I have been contacted by several youth football teams in my
constituency that are pleased to see the return of team sports
but face significant challenges to securing sports facilities,
some of which are operated by Glasgow Life and remain closed.
Teams would be happy to use only outdoor facilities initially,
with players arriving to the pitch ready, and no showers or
changing rooms in use, in order to limit infection. How is the
Scottish Government supporting and working with councils to
identify and remove barriers to reopening sports facilities as
speedily as possible, given that many local youth football
clubs in my constituency have a lengthy wait before they can
get back to training and playing once more?
The First Minister:
Since 13 July, children and young people have been able to play
outdoor football and other sports in an organised setting when
sport-specific guidance is in place from the relevant governing
body. The Scottish Football Association has agreed guidance
with sportscotland, which includes information on hygiene
measures and the ability to contact trace, as required by
sportscotland’s overarching guidance.
We are in discussions on, and preparing guidance for, the
opening of indoor sport and leisure facilities, again in
consultation with sportscotland. Community Leisure Scotland,
the Scottish Leisure Network Group, local authorities, leisure
trusts, the hospitality sector, trade unions and governing
bodies are all involved in that work. We recognise that there
might be financial challenges involved in opening only outdoor
facilities when those are part of a larger facility, and we
continue to discuss that with the Convention of Scottish Local
Authorities. As I have indicated today, the current indicative
date for the reopening of indoor leisure facilities is 14
September.
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