Government approve basketball progression to Level 2 of BE Return to Play plans

Basketball England have announced the Government has approved their Return to Play Roadmap and Guidance, allowing both indoors and outdoors closed-door training and competition from Monday 3 August 2020.

The progression to ‘Level 2’ of their Return to Play roadmap means non-elite athletes are now allowed to resume training indoors along with actual game-play for the first time since lockdown began, with a maximum of 30 people in each venue – including players, coaches, support staff and officials, but there must remain no spectators.

“It is great news for everyone in the game that we are making a significant step back towards normality,” Basketball England CEO Stewart Kellett said.

“The basketball community has been very patient and played their part in supporting the initial guidance to operate at Level 3 and maintain the safety of everyone involved.

“A lot of hard work has gone into providing a framework for players and clubs to safely get back on indoor courts and expand outdoor activity.

“Having clinched the 3 August as a return date we can reignite the game, help each other to recover and plan for a restart that will unlock the basketball economy.

“We are excited to be able to move forward but also have to stress how important it is that everyone in basketball respects the guidance and really unites behind it to avoid any further threats to our game and keep everyone involved fit and healthy.”

All people involved with the teams will need to take part in screening questionnaires, have their temperature taken prior to venue entry, whilst hygiene considerations such as hand sanitiser on entry and regular disinfecting of heavily-used areas must be implemented.

Teams are still being encouraged to practice in small groups or ‘bubbles’ wherever possible, with contact training limited to 20-minute intervals to clean down equipment, and players maintaining social distancing on benches/chairs during game-play.

Every effort should be made to lower the frequency of bodily contact, with no handshakes, celebrations and shouting.

For more information check out Basketball England’s updated Return to Play Guidance document.

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