Coronavirus: return of sports in three phases

The return of sports to normality will take place in three separate phases, with each phase requiring around two weeks to be evaluated before moving on to the next one, according to Zoe Dorothea Pana, a member of the government’s epidemiological team.

Pana explained the upcoming plan regarding the resumption of sports during a joint press conference on Friday held with the president of the Cyprus Sports Organisation (KOA) Andreas Michaelides and with the senior head of the health services Erodoto Erodotou.

Both Michaelides and Erodotou underlined that an important tool in the gradual return of sports to normality was the strict observance of protective measures and protocols. The latter also urged athletes to undergo rapid tests at regular intervals.

Pana said that the first phase of the relaxations will allow the training of individuals and of groups of up to four people, who will be required to keep a safe distance among each other.

The second phase will see the return of indoor training for small teams. Pana, however, did not specify the amount of people allowed to train in a small team.

The third and final phase, will see the possibility of raising the number of athletes allowed to train together, with physical contact also likely to be given the green light.