Government issues guidelines to when sporting events can return as Leeds United's season stays on hold

The Government's road map for exiting the lockdown imposed to limit the spread of Covid-19 was published on Monday afternoon, setting out the conditions under which various activities can be safely carried out.

Step two of the road map, which cannot begin any earlier than June 1, includes "permitting cultural and sporting events to take place behind closed-doors for broadcast, while avoiding the risk of large-scale social contact."

That, though, will only be possible though if sufficient progress is made in limiting the spread of the virus between now and then, but the document entitled 'Our Plan to Rebuild: The UK Government's Covid-19 Recovery Strategy' says that "organisations should plan accordingly".

United's Championship promotion push has been on hold since the second week of March when when the English professional game was halted as Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi both tested positive for coronavirus.

Over two months on, the Premier League and EFL seasons remain suspended but both the Premier League and EFL have continually stated their intentions and desire to properly complete their seasons and play all remaining fixtures when safe to do so.

The Premier League's clubs are meeting on Monday to continue their discussions around Project Restart.

They had been planning for a return to action no earlier than the week beginning June 8.

EFL chairman Rick Parry has said the EFL season would need to completed by July 31 - the date when around 1,400 players' contracts run out.

Parry has previously stated the EFL's intention to complete all remaining fixtures within a 56-day time-frame in the summer months and the EFL have already suggested May 16 - this coming Saturday - as a suggested date for teams to return to training.

But the Government's road map for exiting the lockdown makes it less clear when supporters will be able to return to venues.

The document talks about venues such as cinemas and hairdressers reopening in step three - no earlier than July 4 - but states: "Some venues which are, by design, crowded and where it may prove difficult to enact distancing may still not be able to reopen safely at this point, or may be able to open safely only in part.

"Nevertheless the Government will wish to open as many businesses and public places as the data and information at the time allows.

"In order to facilitate the fastest possible reopening of these types of higher-risk businesses and public places, the Government will carefully phase and pilot reopenings to test their ability to adopt the new COVID-19 Secure guidelines.

"The Government will also monitor carefully the effects of reopening other similar establishments elsewhere in the world, as this happens.

"The Government will establish a series of task forces to work closely with stakeholders in these sectors to develop ways in which they can make these businesses and public places COVID-19 Secure."

Page 21 of the document warns that opening of venues such as sports stadia "may only be fully possible significantly later depending on the reduction in numbers of infections".

Events involving international travel - such as football's Champions League and Europa League, could be affected by the Government's planned introduction of an enforced 14-day quarantine period for arrivals to the UK, except for those from countries "on a short list of exemptions".

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