Premier League clubs must obey ’emergency Covid rules’ after a spike in cases – with medical staff wearing PPE, limits on treatment time, masks at training grounds and random inspections
- Clubs have been told by the Premier League to impose stricter Covid measures
- There has been a worrying spike in cases just weeks ahead of the new season
- New guidelines require medical staff to wear PPE and limits on treatment time
- The ’emergency Covid measures’ could remain in place until October
Premier League clubs are imposing ‘emergency measures’ less than three weeks from the new season due to the worrying spate of Covid cases after the summer break.
Sportsmail has learned that clubs have, from this morning, been advised by the Premier League to impose stricter Covid guidelines in a bid to keep a lid on the increase in cases since the start of pre season.
The news was communicated to clubs over the previous 48 hours. The tough new rules are similar to the restrictions that accompanied Project Restart when football returned during the first Covid lockdown in the summer of 2020.
Premier League clubs have been told to impose stricter Covid guidelines amid spike in cases
Medical staff will have to wear PPE as part of the new measures. Pictured here is a Wolves physio wearing a mask while giving Raul Jimenez treatment
The new restrictions require medical staff to be equipped in full PPE when in contact with playing staff, with a 15 minute time limit on treatment also being re-imposed.
The use of masks will be required at training grounds, though it is unclear at this stage how the new rules will impact on training sessions. Inspectors will also make routine visits to clubs to ensure guidelines are being adhered to.
There is some feeling from Premier League clubs that the ‘emergency measures’ could be in place until October.
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Some clubs fear the new restrictions could derail their preparations for the upcoming season
A number or Premier League clubs, including Arsenal and Leicester, have been hit by a number of Covid cases since the start of pre season after players and staff returned from their summer holidays.
And the Premier League have moved quickly to ensure the problem does not escalate further – a scenario which could threaten the start of the new season.
But the news has been met with a degree of disappointment by some clubs who feel the new restrictions will derail preparations for the forthcoming season.