GSC welcomes gradual easing of restrictions

The Guernsey Sports Commission welcomes the announcement today of a gradual easing of restrictions on taking part in physical activity and sport.

This includes the resumption of one to one coaching or personal training, some non-contact sports such as singles tennis and golf and other activities with one other person from outside your household – as long as social distancing measures are strictly adhered to.

These activities must take place outdoors and are still only permitted for up to two hours per day.

‘Whilst we are delighted to hear that further forms of physical activity may now be undertaken as part of Phase 2 of the exit from lockdown, we would remind the community to continue to comply with the necessary restrictions in order to safeguard our island,’ said Deputy Matt Fallaize, the Committee for Education, Sport and Culture representative on the Sports Commission.

‘We know that taking part in sport and physical activity has a positive effect on people’s mental health and wellbeing and understand that people are keen to try to get back to normal as quickly as possible but the restrictions are there for a reason and we would ask the sporting to community to be patient and continue to comply with those restrictions.’

Full guidance is available within the Bailiwick of Guernsey’s Exit from Lockdown framework document published on 1^st May. This document will be updated as further phases are developed, approved and implemented.

Chairman of the Guernsey Sports Commission, Jon Ravenscroft, paid tribute to the hard work of the Commission’s staff in ensuring that communications between the States of Guernsey and member sports were comprehensive and well understood.

‘I would like to thank the team for continuing to ensure the voice of sport is being heard at the highest levels of Guernsey’s government,’ said Jon.

‘Sport plays a major role in Island life and we know that many sporting organisations are struggling because of the impact of lockdown on their finances, their staff and their members. We will continue to do everything we can to ensure that support is available, but in the interim we would ask all sports to carefully read the guidance, share it with their members and strictly comply with the continuing restrictions.

‘Our team is available to provide advice and guidance to any sporting organisations at this time and I would encourage anyone with any questions to contact the Commission.’

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