Some sport, including golf, squash and cricket, now allowed under lockdown level 3

On June 2, Lowvelder reported that many South Africans who compete in individual sports remain unsure whether (and if so, how) they can practice these sports. During media briefings in May, the National Command Council indicated that national minister of sport, Nathi Mthethwa, would provide clarity, but none was given during his most recent address on May 30.

Further information was not made available until yesterday, when the most recent directions were gazetted by Mthwethwa.

In terms of the new directions, certain non-contact sporting events, as well as training for these, may resume.

Which levels of professional non-contact sporting events catered for in the directions?

• Major multi-coded sport events,
• International championships,
• National championships,
• Local leagues at club, provincial and national level, excluding combat sport.

Who will be allowed to compete in the events or training? 

Professional athletes, as defined in the directions mean: A person who earns a living by competing in a sport or an athlete who receives payment for performance at international championships or related events, including preparation for Olympic events.

Golf RSA said in a statement that courses will be open for “members of a federation, agency, club or body” Read the statement by Golf RSA about the return to golf

Where can these non-contact sporting events or training be held?

In terms of the directions this may happen in a stadium without spectators. In addition to that, the directions also refer to other venues declared “sporting venues” for purposes of these directions. A sporting venue is defined as a stadium, venue, sports ground, field, swimming pool and venue either enclosed or semi-enclosed where matches may take place.

Sporting bodies will have to comply with a number of rules before their training and events may resume:

All professional non-contact sport bodies that intend resuming training and playing may equally submit their plans, irrespective of whether or not they appear on Annexure A.

All contact sport bodies for professional athletes who intend resuming training may equally submit their plans irrespective whether they appear on Annexure B.

The written submissions must further indicate the following:

• Details of the sporting body/organisation applying,
• Details of the public officer of the sporting body/organisation applying responsible for overall monitoring and reporting to government on mechanisms to be employed,
• Details of the safety officer/Covid-19 compliance officer responsible for monitoring and implementation of level 3 safety standards.

Sporting bodies/organisations when making their applications must further submit/upload copies of the following compulsory compliance documents:

• Covid-19 Operational Plan in line with Annexure C (refer to page 14 and 15 – Annexure C)
• Covid-19 Travel Guide Personal Declaration Form
• Daily Screening Questionnaire

Sport bodies / organisations must further respond to the following:

• State of readiness questions
• The activities timeline and data – focusing on training assumption / non-contact sport official resumption date
• Venue Details – Top 10 venues (if applicable) must be listed with the required data in order of priority where the matches will be taking place.

*Note that all written submissions are to be forwarded electronically to the portal link outlined below and parties must ensure that all questions in the link are correctly answered.

Upload your applications by clicking here.

Note that all submissions are to reach the department within 14 days (June 12 to 26 ) which thereafter, no further submissions will be accepted.

Furthermore, only athletes, support staff and officials under the age of 60 who have been tested for Covid-19 and have no comorbidities, may participate.

Helene Eloff, an admitted attorney and legal advisor of CTP Limited, said that individual sportsmen not included in these directives should look to the regulations for guidance.

Contact sport is still prohibited. Individual exercise is allowed between 06:00 and 18:00. In addition to that, you should keep in mind the spaces that are closed to the public.

Where does that leave the rest of us?

Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news

Dear reader,
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.
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