British Wrestling has been given the greenlight to return, in a Covid-secure way.
Alex Davies-Jones (Labour MP & member of the APPG for Wrestling) sent a question to the United Kingdom Parliament and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport re; the classification of Professional Wrestling in the UK for COVID-19 and the phased return of sports in the UK.
The main question being if it is a “sport” or “performance art” in relation to the new rules and observing COVID-19 Guidelines.
A written responce from Caroline Dinenage – Minister of State for Digital and Culture in the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, said the following:
For the purposes of observing COVID-19 guidelines, we advise participants and spectators of this form of wrestling to refer to both the Performance Arts Guidance (for managing rehearsals, training, and audiences), and the Phased Return of Sport and Recreation Guidance (for guidance related to physical activity).
Professional Activity, such as professional wrestling, is permitted in line with Stage 4 of the performing arts roadmap within venues that are able to host such activities in line with COVID secure guidance. From 14 September, venues such as theatres, concert halls, and other entertainment venues that host such events will need to ensure that are COVID secure in line with the relevant guidance and that groups within the audience are limited to six. Venues will also need to ensure that groups are kept separate from one another to ensure they do not mix and do not exceed the legal limits and that they adhere to new legal requirements around track and trace.
To clarify in more detail, TWM’s Danny Stone tweeted the following: