LTA issues latest guidance to tennis clubs - June 1
England - Return to Managed Play
Following the further easing of restrictions in England from 1 June announced by the Prime Minister on Thursday evening (28 May) and the publication of detailed Government guidance on Sunday (31 May), the Government has confirmed what these measures mean in relation to tennis. Players from different households can now play doubles together as long as they stay two metres apart as far as possible, and small group coaching for up to six people (includung coaches) can resume.
These developments to the measures are detailed on the Gov.uk website under their guidance for 'Gatherings, public spaces and and outdoor activities' (see 1.6) and in their information for the public for the 'Phased return of outdoor sport and recreation'.
Based on our continued discussions with Government and in line with its detailed guidance published on Sunday, the LTA has worked to develop an updated set of practical guidelines as soon as possible for venues, coaches and players to apply from 1 June so that tennis can be played in England, where the local environment allows. We have clearly indicated the key additions and updates to the guidelines on the pdfs.
These guidelines apply to both tennis and padel, and outline adaptations and considerations so that tennis activity can be enjoyed in a way that is in line with Government advice and helps to prevent the spread of COVID-19. They include measures to maintain hygiene and minimise unnecessary interactions with others.
These guidelines currently apply to England only, and have been produced to help venues, coaches and players operate in line with the Government guidance. The full guidelines can be downloaded below – please ensure you read the relevant guidelines in full before undertaking tennis activity:
Scotland - Return to Restricted Play
Tennis activity can resume in Scotland on a resticted basis from Friday 29 May, with guidelines in place. This follows the Scottish Government’s confirmation of the route map from lockdown and the announcement from the First Minister on Thursday 28 May
The LTA and Tennis Scotland have developed a set of practical guidelines for tennis venues, coaches and players to follow so that tennis can be played in Scotland in a way consistent with the route map for moving out of lockdown, where the local environment allows. The full guidelines guidelines can be downloaded below:
If you have any questions please refer to our FAQs.
Wales - remains closed
All tennis facilities and courts should currently remain closed, and tennis coaching and activity should remain on hold.
LTA & Tennis Wales joint statement (Monday 1 June 2020):
Following Friday’s Welsh Government Press Conference and a number of subsequent media appearances from the First Minister, the LTA and Tennis Wales have sought further clarity from the Welsh Government on the return of tennis in Wales.
The Welsh Government has provided the following statement:
- "Tennis courts, as with all outdoor sports courts, remain closed in Wales. We know that people want to start playing these sports again and we are working with Tennis Wales and local authorities for the safe return of these sports. However, we will not take unnecessary risks with people’s lives.
- Our approach to any easing of the lockdown restrictions will continue to be cautious and based on the latest advice from SAGE and the WHO. The gap between where the “R” rate is now, and where it starts to spiral out of control, is extremely narrow. That is why we have taken the decision this time to make one main change to ensure we can measure what impact it has on the spread of the virus.
- This time we focused on enabling family & friends to meet again in the open air and under strict conditions.
- While reopening of any particular activity may only marginally add to the risk, the Welsh Government has to consider the cumulative impact of all the changes we might make. It is the combined impact which makes the difference, not the risk posed by any one activity.
- The regulations are reviewed every 3 weeks and we have said that we are reassessing the options of opening sports courts during the current period of the review."
Like the rest of the tennis community in Wales, we are incredibly disappointed and frustrated by this decision. We have been liaising with the Welsh Government throughout the lockdown period, and have developed detailed guidance for players, coaches and venues to allow the safe return of tennis, when the Welsh Government permits courts to re-open. We were confident that tennis could return within the Welsh Government guidance for public health and were supported by more than 2,500 people, petitioning the Welsh Government to consider the health and wellbeing benefits of outdoor tennis.
The reaction of the wider tennis community in Wales over recent days and the past weeks has shown just how much tennis means to people in Wales. We understand the frustration of everyone involved with the sport, and will continue to work hard on behalf of all involved with tennis in Wales, to ensure that people are able return to being active through tennis.
The LTA and Tennis Wales will continue to work with the Welsh Government over the coming weeks to ensure that following the next review of lockdown measures on 18 June, tennis venues are able to re-open, coaches are able to return to work, and players can return to court, safely and in line with wider restrictions.
