The move to the UK Government's Covid-19 Roadmap Step 4 on 19 July 2021 saw the removal of a large number of restrictions, with no set restrictions on how many people can take part in sport and physical activity.

The following simple overarching guidance of key considerations for tennis venues, coaches, officials and players is a summary of relevant Government guidance. 

Full guidance from the LTA website can be found here.

Step 4 Guidance

The country moved to Step 4 of the Government roadmap from 19 July 2021, meaning that most legal restrictions have been lifted. There are no longer any restrictions on how many people can take part in tennis activity, indoors or outdoors.

The Government has published guidance for the public and sports providers on how to organise and participate safely in sporting activity.

Tennis remains a naturally socially distant sport and relatively low risk activity. However, undertaking the following key considerations can help to ensure the safety of participants when attending tennis venues for officials, coaches and volunteers, reducing the risk of spreading COVID-19.

1.  Check for COVID-19 symptoms. Before attending any tennis activity, players (like officials, volunteers and coaches) should self-assess for symptoms of COVID-19. These are:

• a high temperature
• a new, continuous cough
• a loss of, or change to, your sense of smell or taste

However, please note that currently (November 2021) the top 5 Covid symptoms in the vaccinated and children identified by the C-19 Zoe app are those typical of a heavy cold.  These are:

• Headache
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Sore throat
• Cough

If you have any of these symptoms you should not attend any sporting activity, even if your symptoms are mild, and get a PCR test (a test that is sent to a lab) to check if you have COVID-19 as soon as possible. You should stay at home and self-isolate until you get your test result – only leave your home to have a test - following NHS guidance on testing and self-isolation.

If someone you live with has symptoms of COVID-19, or has tested positive for COVID-19, you will not need to self-isolate if any of the following apply:

• you're fully vaccinated – this means 14 days have passed since your final dose of a COVID-19 vaccine given by the NHS
• you're under 18 years, 6 months old
• you're taking part or have taken part in a COVID-19 vaccine trial
• you're not able to get vaccinated for medical reasons

 2. Follow your provider’s safety measures. The venue you are attending, coach or provider may put in place safety measures, which could include asking you to ‘check in’ using the NHS app to scan their QR code, supporting NHS Test and Trace.  Whilst this is no longer a legal requirement for venues or participants, it can support NHS Test and Trace and reduce risk of transmission of the virus.

 3. Take part safely. As a socially distant sport, the risk of transmission of COVID-19 whilst participating is low. However, participants should continue to:

• Follow good hygiene practices, to reduce the risk of transmission in sport environments. Also consider the wishes of other participants (i.e. if they do not wish to shake hands after a match).
• Avoid sharing water bottles or other refreshment containers. Where possible, you should take your own drink, in a labelled or highly distinguishable container.

Face coverings are no longer required by law, but the government expects and recommends that people should continue to wear them in crowded and enclosed settings, to protect themselves and others.

If you or a member of your family become ill with symptoms of Covid-19 do not visit the courts until you have completed your isolation in line with government guidelines.