Tier 1 /2 / 3 Covid Guidance
Current Guidance
The government has introduced a three-tier system of restrictions designed to counter the steep rise in coronavirus (Covid-19) cases. Depending on the situation in the local area, each part of England is allocated into one of these categories, each with their own set of restrictions:
Medium (Tier 1)
High (Tier 2)
Very High (Tier 3)
Here’s a summary of what this mean for sport and physical activity in each Tier:
TIER 1 (medium)
National restrictions, introduced from 24 September, continue to apply.
Indoors
- Organised individual and team sports that have been through return to play protocols can continue, while adhering to the 'rule of six', which means taking part in a group of no more than six people.
- There are exemptions to this: under-18s, disabled people and, if for educational purposes, over-18s, can play in any number.
- Other indoor activity, such as skateboarding, can continue in larger numbers based on the size of the venue, provided that people are in separate groups of up to six people, or larger groups if they’re from the same household or support bubble, which do not mix.
- Gyms and leisure facilities, including skateparks can stay open, and the ‘rule of six’ applies to informal activity.
Outdoors
- National governing body-approved organised team sport, exercise classes and outdoor licensed physical activity and sport participation events can happen in any number provided they're in line with Covid-secure guidance.
- The ‘rule of six’ applies to informal sport, such as skateboarding.
TIER 2 (high)
Indoors
- Organised individual and team sport must be played by a single household or support bubbl
- Exemptions laid out in Tier 1 on specific groups of people who can take part in larger numbers continue to apply.
- Exercise classes can also continue as per the rules under Tier 1, while informal sport can only be taken part in indoors by a single household or support bubble.
- Skateparks, gyms and leisure facilities can stay open.
Outdoors
There's no change to the guidance for outdoor sport and physical activity – the Tier 1 rules still apply.
TIER 3 (very high)
Guidance under this tier is subject to change, depending on local and national government agreements.
Indoors
- Sport and physical activity can be taken part in as per the guidance under Tier 2.
- Gyms and leisure facilities, including skateparks, may have to close depending on local approaches to business closures.
Outdoors
Sport and physical activity can be played as per the guidance under Tier 1.
More information
A more detailed explanation and a series of FAQ’s can be found on the Sport England website at the following link: