The number of people need to play matches behind closed doors will be limited to 167 people
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Playing matches behind closed doors has been bandied about as a ‘solution’ to get rugby back underway under the ongoing enforced lockdown around the world.
Without a single spectator, World Rugby's return to rugby guidelines state that 167 people are needed to stage a match.
The international body released the details of its RTP guidelines for the safe return to activities in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic on its player welfare website.
These ‘guidelines’ have been developed by medical experts – following consultation with union chief medical officers, competition owners and players, the guidelines are intended to assist unions, clubs and competitions in creating a framework and policy for return to rugby activity within their respective jurisdictions.
Unions and competition owners will need to comply with local laws and policies implemented by government or local authorities in relation to COVID-19, including social distancing and travel measures.
“For the avoidance of doubt, this does not mean that matches will have to be played behind closed doors until a vaccine is available,” World Rugby said on its website, adding: “The strategy will be determined by the respective national government directives.”
The guidelines have two core sections containing important information.
The guidelines, which are World Health Organisation compliant, outline three dedicated time-bound return-to-training phases – small group training, full group non-contact training and full contact training.
It also documents the environment for returning to match action in a domestic, cross-border and cross-continent context and processes for facility and stadium preparation.
