South African Football Association has approved the return of football following a government gazette notice issued on Thursday.
In the document, football activities can resume after complying with the regulations issued by the Ministry of Sports, Arts and Culture on June 11, 2020 under the Disaster Management Act of 2002.
Football clubs across South Africa are now encouraged to resume training, provided they adhere to the stipulated guidelines outlined to combat the infections of coronavirus, according to the statement released by Safa on Friday.
“These regulations entail among others that all teams need to test for Covid-19 and chronic medical conditions (as stipulated in the football return-to-training protocol adopted by the Safa Joint Liaison Committee (JLC) and results must be sent to the compliance officer,” the statement directed.
All sporting activities in South Africa, just like every other nation came to a halt when Africa reported its first Covid-19 positive case late February to early March.
This led to the ban of public gatherings to curb the spread of the virus, greatly affecting sport in the process.
In relation to that, Confederation of African Football (CAF) member associations were served with a variety of options concerning their respective league fates, among them total cancellation and restart of the 2019/20 football season.
However, South Africa and the likes of Tanzania have seemingly vowed to play their respective leagues to conclusion amid the ravaging coronavirus pandemic, hence strictly doing so by heeding to Covid-19 prevention measures.
The South African FA has further urged all teams to fumigate their training grounds, conduct screening on a daily basis, have a standby consulting doctor and observe high levels of hygiene to flatten the Covid-19 infection curve.
“Disinfection of the training venue is mandatory, so is the daily screening of Covid-19 symptoms for all those involved.
“All teams are encouraged to undertake strict hand and respiratory hygiene and have a consulting doctor at all times as stipulated in the return to football protocol adopted by JLC.
“There should be continuous education about Covid-19 and the federation must appoint a compliance officer in writing.”
Before the South African PSL went into recess, Kaizer Chiefs were leading the pack with 48 points, followed closely by Mamelodi Sundowns on second with 44 points.
Supersport United and Orlando Pirates occupy the third and fourth spots respectively, tied on 40 points each.