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Letters | Hong Kong fourth wave: if horses and hikers are still running, why not sports clubs?

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Members have their temperature checked at Sha Tin racecourse on January 27. The Hong Kong Jockey Club obtained government permission to organise horse racing on January 24, 27 and 31 and on February 3 under certain conditions, to abide by public health measures because of the coronavirus pandemic. Photo: Kenneth Chan

Week after week, the Hong Kong government orders a blanket extension of social distancing rules with no due consideration for what could be relaxed in certain sectors.

It is important to do sport to maintain a balanced lifestyle and stay sane. The blanket closure of clubs and sport facilities needs to be reviewed. The government should allow each club to propose a Statement of Purpose for managing usage in this current environment.

Why not let the clubs do their part and run themselves the way they know how? After all, all clubs already have a SOP and they only need to amend them to suit the current situation. I understand that indoor group activities should be stopped, but there are always exceptions. For example:

Tennis and badminton – restrict games to two players per court. The players are already standing tens of metres from each other. Where is the risk?

Golf – it’s a maximum of four players and it’s not a contact sport. For extra caution, rounds can be restricted to two players or masks can be required at all times.

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Hong Kong ends second lockdown in Yau Ma Tei, finds one Covid-19 case

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Golf driving range – each bay is already 2 to 3 metres apart and there is only one player per bay. Wear masks.

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