Professional sports teams can return to training on May 18 – By Enock Mukoma.
Italy has been one of the world’s worst-hit countries by the coronavirus pandemic with the death toll at 26,644.
The country’s biggest football league, Serie A has been suspended since March 9, but matches could resume at the beginning of next month.
There are still 12 games to play in the Italian top-flight as Juventus lead second-placed Lazio by one point. Athletes can start training individually from May 4, which is the date Italy will begin to relax social distancing.
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte applauded the Italian resilience in the time of storm, thanking them for “showing strength, courage, sense of responsibility and community.”
“Now the phase of living with the virus begins for everyone and we must be aware that during Phase Two, there is the risk we’ll see the curve climb in some areas of the country.”
Serie A games were taking place in empty stadiums before its suspension last month. The potential resumption of Serie A will give the English Premier League hope of completing the 2019/20 season.
The EPL board is reportedly planning to resume the league on June 8.
