This time last year we didn’t think we’d still be writing about Covid-19 updates and restrictions around sport, but here we are.
The big one for sporting events – particularly with the likes of festive rugby and the club All-Ireland championships taking place is that restrictions have returned to outdoor events.
Chiefly, attendance at outdoor events regardless of location is capped at 50% of the venue’s total capacity, or 5,000 people, whichever is the lower.
While it might be a stretch to get 40,000+ into Croke Park for a club All-Ireland final, by the time those games roll around in at the end of January, capacity in the 82,300 GAA headquarters will still be limited to 5,000.
Naas and Kilmacud Crokes are slated to play out their Leinster club senior football championship final at 5 pm in Croke Park on Saturday 8 January and again, attendance there will be limited to 5,000.
No indoor events – including sporting events – can take place after 8 pm until 30 January. For sporting events scheduled for earlier in the day, attendance will be limited to 50% of the venue’s capacity or 1,000 attendees, whichever is the lower.
While there is nothing in the current Covid guidelines to suggest that mask-wearing at indoor sports events is mandatory, it is recommended where there is a significant congregation or in circumstances where two metres distance can’t be maintained.
Group activities and children’s games and competitions
Per the current guidelines, “organisers of indoor and outdoor group activities should ensure that appropriate protective measures are in place, and where indoor groups have a mix of vaccinated and unvaccinated people indoors, pods of 6 should apply.”
For children under 18, the “pod of 6” system can be adjusted to allow for indoor games and competition activities only, with all other protective measures remaining in place.
The “pod of 6” system should be retained for all other settings such as training activities and games as part of training. Fixed capacity limits will not apply to these indoor and outdoor group activities.
At the time of writing, Covid restrictions above remain in place until 30 January though you can always find the latest updates to guidelines and restrictions here.
