School sports day allowed to go ahead this summer, says Downing Street

No 10 has announced today, Wednesday, June 23 that school sports days are allowed to go ahead after backlash over plans to allow more than 60,000 fans into Wembley Stadium for the European Championship at the same time as lockdown restrictions continue for the public.

Reports suggested that some schools had cancelled sports days and children who are at very low risk of Covid-19 are still being sent home as pandemic restrictions continued.

Downing Street confirmed that children taking part will need to be kept in their class or year bubbles, and all equipment will have to be regularly cleaned.

Restrictions preventing groups of more than 30 people from mixing outdoors will also need to be put in place in order to hold a school sporting event.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson had originally planned to end all legal coronavirus restrictions in England on Monday (21 June), but delayed the lockdown roadmap by four weeks following concerns over the rapidly spreading Delta Covid-19 variant.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “Outdoor events like sports days can go ahead in line with existing restrictions, such as maintaining class or year group bubbles, and regular cleaning of sports equipment.

“It’s also worth saying that it’s up to schools to risk assess their sports day plans and decide if it’s appropriate to invite spectators. It would be possible for spectators in groups of 30 to attend. So depending on the size of the area, multiple groups of 30 could attend events, as long as there’s no mixing between those groups.”

When asked why some schools were therefore complaining about a lack of guidance he said: “I’ve set out the guidance and that is available to schools… I’m sure DFE is working with schools who may have questions on this.”

“It’s right that during a global pandemic, there is specific guidance to schools on how that can be done in a safe way. But as I say they can go ahead.”

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