SELECTED SPORTS STARS and officials are to be exempt from quarantine requirements when competing in England, the UK culture secretary has announced.
The proviso is that those involved will instead live and work in “bubbled” environments behind closed doors, Oliver Dowden has said.
The new measures mean that – as far as the government is concerned – Silverstone can stage planned grands prix on 2 and 9 August, English football clubs can host European ties and the snooker World Championships can go ahead in Sheffield.
Competitors involved in these events will be granted quarantine exemptions, as will players involved in the British Masters golf tournament.
International cricketers are also now formally exempt, although individual special arrangements have already been made for the touring West Indies and Pakistan teams this summer.
Other people essential to the staging of events such as officials, coaches, medics, mechanics and incoming members of the media will also be permitted to travel without quarantine.
In return sporting authorities and event organisers must put in place stringent protocols to ensure that they have a minimal impact on public health during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The announcement comes after negotiations between Government and sporting authorities.
Dowden said: “I’m very pleased that we’ve agreed exemptions from border health measures for a limited number of athletes and events staff, which means the British summer of sport is back on.
“I am grateful to the sports governing bodies who have worked closely with us to put in place stringent protocols to ensure these events can go ahead safely.
“It will mean that fans of the British Grand Prix, international cricket and Champions League football can look forward to yet more sporting action on home soil – a further boost to our national recovery.”
Non-exempt travellers to the UK currently have to quarantine for 14 days after arrival in the country.
The news is part of a wider announcement that also includes film and television production in the UK.
No other sporting events have yet been identified for exemption but it is promised that more will soon receive clearance, including events in darts and horse racing.
Manchester City are due to host Real Madrid in the second leg of their delayed Champions League last-16 tie in August. Likewise Wolves and Manchester United are also scheduled to play at home in the Europa League, against Olympiakos and LASK respectively.
There had been suggestions these games could be moved to neutral venues but this increases the likelihood of European governing body UEFA allowing them to be played at home.
England begin a three-Test series against the West Indies next Wednesday, the British Masters at Close House starts on July 22 and the rearranged snooker World Championships begin on July 31.
dunnes have runners with four stripes and 4 is more than 3 so they must be better….
@Liam Meade: well definitely make you go faster anyway. 33% faster
@Seaniecp: ahh, but only if they are go faster stripes Seanie….
@Seaniecp: or would addidas be 25% slower ?
@Liam Meade: yeah Striders man pee all over adidas any day
@Liam Meade: mine are faster because there Red.
O’Neill’s have had three stripes for donkeys years now!
@Darren Bates: only in Ireland though
@Noel Kelly: not in the north of Ireland tho… Just the 26.
You’ll see most northern county jerseys and gear for sale to the public has only 2 stripes
@Aidan Mitchell: I have multiple jerseys from northern counties with 3 stripes so that can’t be true
@Aidan Mitchell: where did you just pull that from?
@Aidan Mitchell: Any O’Neill’s jerseys sent out to Australia only have 2 stripes also
@John Black: Sorry not jerseys shorts or socks. But tracksuits, hoodie, zippys, tshirts, , polo’s…. Go to oneills.com and compare the 6 counties to the 26. No 3 stripes for sale in the 6.
And also look at club gear for international teams in USA, Canada, Australia. Mostly all 2 stripes. Ways around it tho..
@Darren Bates: oneills got away with it by claiming it was a white block with 2 stripes of colour on it istead of it being three stand alone white stripes. However they cant do it outside or roi
O’Neill’s can continue replicating their jerseys now
It seems a strange decision. I know 3 stripes is not that original. But that at the angle and going from short to long, there’s no mistaken them for anything else. It’s as recognizable as the Nike logo in my opinion.
@Thefallguy: It’s not really that logo in the photo that’s in question, rather the general practice of 3 parallel stripes denoting Adidas, eg running down a sleeve
@Squiddley Diddley: ahh I got you now. Cheers
My stripes were taken off me by the Mrs
Sweat shops for fakes are in overdrive everywhere now
I remember Kerry had a Adidas kit in 80′s classic for one year though as there was outrage about it
@Ossi Fritsche: gaa jerseys had a rule they had to be manufactured in Ireland, keeping jobs at home etc.
So kerry were effectively breaking the rules
@Aidan Mitchell: think because of that they had to be made under licence in Cork at the time
@Ossi Fritsche: especially when they washed it in a BENDIX !
@Valthebear: correct, so no sweatshop, no profit. Adidas lost money on them
Three strikes and you’re out!
Sergeants everywhere breathe a sigh of relief.
A Dream I Dreamt About Stripes
Can only get Bulmers jungle juice in Ireland …
Everywhere else it’s Bleedin Magners
@Rodney Williams: on account of there being a different, unrelated, cider company in the UK called Bulmers. The chances!
@RhinoDino: Not actually unrelated, the Bulmers UK once owned 50% of the Irish company and increased production. Later on they sold their share back to the original Irish company. As Magner was the founder they went with that name when launching in the UK and internationally.
Why don’t you show an image of the relevant logo???? Misleading article
@Arya: Whether or not one wishes to comment upon the weather, it is hardly acceptable to replicate the very mentality that you so negatively allude to.
@Vocal Outrage: I am not replicating it. It was the irony in the comment. It was really hilarious.
ALDIdas will be thrilled. What a F#*k EU to anyone with a reputable brand. That Rloex crown is not distinctive enough either, come to think of it. Not sure if I’m telling the time or sending a Hallmark card. FFS, Alfa Romeo are about the only ones safe from EU approved brand piracy. Being ruled by Belgium is awesome!
Those 3 Stripes are my Intellectual Property The have been on an old UNDERPANTS of Mine
3 Stripes and your out