Coronavirus Statement
Update: 26 May
As per our update below dated 15 May, current guidance from England Athletics is following the government's guidelines as they are rolled out. It is a very fluid situation and we can confirm that our previously stated deadline of 31 May as the deadline for the suspension of all athletics activity in England is now no longer valid. However, the only permitted activity is stated under our latest guidance update (for a restricted return to training). This will remain the case until we are able to update the guidance further based on any new announcements from UK government. As soon as the situation changes, we will of course confirm this across all our communication channels. The separate suspension of competitions activity, currently to 30 June 2020, remains in place. Please see below for our guidance documents for athletes and runners, coaches and leaders and athletic venues.
Click here for our latest update containing new guidance (released 15 May) on the restricted return to training activity.
Update: 13 May
We are currently refining our guidance to our member clubs and registered athletes to take into account the government’s relaxation to restrictions which take effect today. England Athletics is working closely with other stakeholders to provide comprehensive advice with the safety and wellbeing of the athletics and wider community at its heart. There are many complex issues involved, including insurance, use of facilities and health & safety. Please bear with us while we seek to resolve these before updating the current guidance to our members. The government has issued a set of FAQs on what you can and cannot do and we will be basing our guidance as always on the advice for England.
Exercise guidance post government statement: 10 May
As your membership and development body, we are currently reviewing what the Prime Minister had to say last night regarding lockdown protocols and what the provisional stages and timing of the relaxation of current practices could mean for you our members, for us as an organisation and of course our great sport as we look forward to the coming weeks and months.
We are working closely with our colleagues at UKA and the other Home Country Athletics Federations to determine and clarify the practical implications of the changes as they evolve.
With so many different disciplines requiring varying levels of equipment, facilities and personal space to perform (consider the differing needs of a throwing discipline vs relay runners for example), we are considering the most appropriate and practical ways to enable a staggered return to training and competition as soon as possible.
Our sport is currently suspended in formality through to the end of May with competition suspended until the end of June and we are keeping these dates in mind as we look to the future, always being guided by the government directives in doing so.
Our CEO Chris Jones has produced a new written update and video blog in which he calls for athletes and runners to continue to support their clubs during this difficult time. Chris also gives further insight into the ongoing planning for any return to training/competition and discusses the financial/logistical challenges that England Athletics is facing and measures that have been taken to reduce costs and plan ahead. Click here to view the written blog.