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The ECB has released Organised Outdoor Recreational Cricket Guidance for England as part of Step 1 B of the lifting of restrictions. It is based upon UK Government Guidance for recreational sport. As such, organised outdoor cricket activities can return from 29th March 2021 subject to existing government guidelines and the ECB restrictions that are currently in place.

Summary of Guidance

This guidance is for organised cricket in England only at Step 1B of the Government Roadmap out of Lockdown from 29 March 2021 until progression to Step 2 is confirmed by the UK Government (no earlier than 12 April 2021).

Taking part in organised cricket sometimes means that other restrictions such as legal gathering limits do not apply when taking part. This is because the ECB has considered the risks and set out ways to mitigate them so people can participate safely. The ECB’s guidance is listed as approved by the UK Government – click here for more details

• Return to Play in England
• Government Roadmap Step 1B
• Plan for Matches
• Plan for Organised Cricket Matches
• COVID-19 Guidance FAQs
• Recreational Cricket COVID Guidance Step 2 – 12_April
• Folkestone CC Risk Assessment

Key Messages

• This guidance is for organised cricket in England at Step 1B of the UK Government Roadmap out of Lockdown from 29 March 2021 until further notice.
• This guidance will be updated at Step 2 of the UK Government Roadmap out of Lockdown (no earlier than 12 April 2021).
• Clubs and venues are required to carry out a COVID Risk Assessment and to put in place control measures to limit the transmission of COVID-19 during organised cricket.

ORGANISED OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL CRICKET GUIDANCE FOR ENGLAND IN 2021 Version 1 Government Roadmap Step 1B | March 2021

• This guidance provides both playing and venue (staging) advice on how to control and minimise those risks whilst enjoying cricket safely.
• Everyone attending an organised cricket activity should carry out a self-assessment for COVID symptoms before leaving home and follow NHS and PHE self-isolation procedures if they are symptomatic.
• No one who is required to self-isolate should attend an organised cricket activity.
• Cricket is by nature a socially distanced game and social distancing should be maintained on the field wherever possible.
• Off the field, social distancing guidelines and legal gathering size limits must be observed – at Step 1B this means the Rule of 6 or a group made up of two households (a group made up of two households can include more than 6 people, but only where all members of the group are from the same two households (or support/childcare bubbles, where eligible)).
• Changing rooms must remain closed except for disabled persons and emergency requirements. Participants should arrive in their kit ready to play and should return home in their kit.
• Clubhouses including social and hospitality facilities must remain closed, but toilet and hand washing provision is permitted subject to risk assessment, occupancy limits, suitable ventilation and frequent and effective cleaning.
• Hygiene breaks in play are required every 6 overs.
• Participants should bring their own food and drink and drinks bottles should not be shared.
• There is a legal requirement to record participant and attendee contact details for the purposes of NHS Test and Trace and clubs and venues must ensure that data is collected in accordance with data protection law.
• Spectators are not permitted in any indoor or outdoor sport facility at Step 1B. This does not apply to carers for people with disabilities, or adults needed to supervise under-18s in a safeguarding role. Where it is necessary for them to be present, supervising adults should not mix with others from outside their household or support bubble.