The Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Sport announced that as Bermuda enters Phase 2 of reopening, following the Stay at Home Order, sports will be permitted at Stage 2 of the Return to Play Guidance, effective today, May 9th.
Stage 2 allows for team training within the requirements permitted by the Emergency Regulations:
• Groups of 10.
• No contact.
• 6 feet between participants.
• Masks except during physical exertion.
• 30 minutes between groups to allow for cleaning.
• No fans.
While Stage 2 activities are permitted, the Ministry is reminding athletes and their families that household mixing raises the risk of Covid-19 spread, and is generally discouraged, and should be kept to a minimum while Bermuda continues to have community transmission.
Sporting groups are not a bubble, and all precautions should be practiced in our day-to-day lives, including during Stage 2 activities.
As before, individual, non-contact sports may apply to the Department of Youth, Sport, and Recreation with their operational plan to progress to Stage 3.
Also, as before, adults entering Stage 3 will require a Covid-19 saliva test to be repeated monthly. Tests can be booked online at the public test sites.
Immunized athletes do not need to be tested for Stage 3 purposes. Individual NSGBs can require more testing for adults, immunized individuals and children according to their needs and standards.
Acting Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport, Tinee Furbert said, “I’m pleased that as we take the next steps to reopening, we can return to the very thing that brings us mental and physical wellbeing during such trying times: sport and exercise. Please cooperate and follow the guidance to keep all athletes and Bermuda safe. Limit household mixing as much as possible.
“We want to get to the next reopening Phase in June and it will take diligence on all our parts to keep the Covid numbers going down and prevent another wave of illness and deaths. This is Heritage Month which this year reminds us that we are a resilient people. We got through this before and have learned a lot from it. We can get through this Phase too. Sport is an important part of the Bermudian spirit and identity, and we will adapt to the new norms whilst a pandemic rages globally and locally. Let’s avoid the 3 C’s: closed spaces, crowded places and close contact, and let’s stick to the guidance and stay safe as we return to sport.”
Lastly, each of us has a role to play in stopping the spread of the coronavirus. Follow Public Health guidelines, wear a mask, practice good hand hygiene, maintain physical distance and download the WeHealth Bermuda app. Do the research, talk with your doctor and make an informed decision about getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
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