Sky News confirms "golf is not allowed" under England's new Covid lockdown

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson will send England into a month-long lockdown from Thursday November 5 to Wednesday December 2, and while there was no official confirmation about the status of golf during Johnson's speech on Saturday evening, a report in Sky News claims "golf is not allowed". 

Sky News highlighted golf in its article about what we can and can't do under the new lockdown measures: "Outdoor exercise and recreation encouraged and is unlimited - only with your household/bubble, on your own or with one other person from a different household (golf is not allowed)."

Guidance on the new national lockdown measures from gov.uk also highlight the closure of golf courses and driving ranges - READ MORE HERE. 

The PGA has since issued a statement, which read as the following in its latest article, which you can read here.

"The UK Government has this evening (31st October) announced a one-month lockdown of England, starting at midnight on Thursday 5th November running until Wednesday 2nd December," reads a statement by The PGA. 

"These new measures will see the closure of pubs, restaurants, and non-essential retail. People can continue to exercise for unlimited periods outdoors, either with people from their own households or on a one-to-one basis with one person from another household.

"The PGA is working with the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Golf to study the detail, and to establish the exact restrictions on golf clubs and their facilities as the information becomes available. We will communicate definitive guidance once received from Government."

England Golf are also awaiting the latest update - read here. 

"You must stay at home, you may only leave home for specific reasons, including education and work," said Johnson during his press conference to the nation on Saturday evening.

"I’m afraid non-essential shops, leisure and entertainment venues will all be closed, though click and collect services will continue and essential shops will remain open. Pubs, bars, restaurants must close, except for takeaway and delivery services."

Johnson also confirmed he will extend the furlough system through November and will extend further until December.

He added: "Christmas is going to be different this year, perhaps very different, but it’s my sincere hope and belief that by taking tough action, we can allow families across the country to be together."

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Jonathan Van Tam has described the latest coronavirus numbers to ministers as being "out of control".

If you’re worried and anxious about a 2nd National lockdown, don’t be. Always look forward. We’ll have a 3rd in January. And hopefully, if we can get enough people entering poverty, then we might just avoid a 4th. Fingers crossed.

— Eddie Pepperell (@PepperellEddie) October 30, 2020

Golf courses had already closed in both Wales and Ireland following a rise in coronavirus cases. 

"The data is really bad," a source told The Times. "We are seeing Covid rising across the country and hospitals are really struggling to cope."

The country's second lockdown comes during a week which has seen Covid deaths in the UK reach the same levels that were last seen back in May. 

On Friday, the death toll due to coronavirus rose by 274, with infections increasing by more than 24,000.