To ask the Minister of Health to clarify the restrictions around people with mental health issues who rely on sport, particularly outdoor sport, to maintain good mental health.

In the period since this question was tabled the Executive has taken a series of carefully considered steps to bring us to the current position. As part of these both indoor and outdoor sport are permitted to operate, with mitigations in place to reduce the risk of transmission of Covid-19. For outdoor sport of over 30 people and indoor sport of over 15, a risk assessment is required to determine the maximum number of participants.

Changing rooms and shower facilities can be opened, but you should avoid or minimise use where possible (for example, by arriving in kit and showering at home) and minimise time spent in the changing area.

The return to sport protocols put in place by sports governing bodies should be strictly adhered to including hygiene measures, social distancing and other mitigations. Any behaviour which may encourage the risk of transmission around sports activities, such as car sharing, congregation of people on the side-lines and sporting celebrations, should be avoided.

Sports governing bodies have a responsibility to ensure full compliance with the protocols and are expected to put arrangements in place to deal with non-compliant clubs, participants and coaches.