ELTC Coronavirus (Covid-19) – Update 01/11/2020

The Prime Minister has announced new national restrictions for England to be implemented from Thursday 5 November – Wednesday 2 December. The measures will have implications for recreational tennis activity –we will update our coronavirus guidance once we have received confirmed details from the LTA and from Government. 

Given tennis is a socially distanced sport with the net acting as a natural barrier, LTA are making the case to Government for outdoor tennis activity for two individuals from different households to continue, in line with Government restrictions on exercise that have been announced, and are awaiting clarification.

Please see below an update from Scott Lloyd, the LTA CEO who has today (1 November) provided an update on the latest coronavirus restrictions in England, and what you can do to help.

Tennis is a naturally socially distant sport that can be played safely

However the new rules also state that exercise and recreation outdoors is allowed with your household or on your own with one person from another household. Our concern is that it is not yet clear from the guidance whether outdoor tennis will be allowed to continue.

So The LTA are making the strongest case to the Government that outdoor tennis courts should be allowed to remain open for singles play, 1-2-1 coaching as well as use by the same households. We know tennis activity for children is also hugely important and so we have argued for this to continue where possible.

Tennis is a safe, socially distant sport with the net acting as a natural barrier, and as such there is very low risk in terms of transmission of the virus. We believe if adults are allowed to meet someone else from their household for a socially distanced walk or conversation, they should be able to play tennis against each other from either side of a net.

The positive physical and mental impact of tennis is needed now more than ever

As the national governing body for our sport, we have a responsibility to tennis and everyone involved in it, but we believe that this is in the best interests of the nation and the communities in which the many thousands of tennis venues and coaches are based. Millions of adults and children in England play tennis every year and enjoy the physical and mental health benefits that it provides, and that positive impact is needed now more than ever.

Keeping people as active as possible can play a key role in how we tackle the coronavirus. The next few weeks are undoubtedly going to be difficult for many people across the country and so the more we can do to maintain access to sport and encourage healthy lifestyles the better. Tennis between two individuals on opposite sides of the net can and should be part of that.

How you can help

The Government will be debating the new restrictions in Parliament this week, so if you wish to contribute your voice to this argument then I would urge you to write to your local MP and make the case for outdoor tennis courts to remain open during the latest restrictions, outlining the positive impact that will have for you. Alongside this, we will be continuing to work hard to make the case to central Government over the next few days.

Best wishes

ELTC Committee