Coronavirus update

Last updated September 18 at 9.30am

Please note, this is an ever-changing situation and our advice may change at short notice. We recommend that you check our website regularly for the latest advice.

September 18 update:

Following the recent restrictions being put in place by the Government in areas of the North East, there are no changes to organised sport operating (which includes table tennis).

Sessions which are formally organised by a club or similar organisation, in line with Table Tennis England ready to return guidance, can therefore continue to operate as they have been doing.

Leisure facilities will need to close by 10pm and not open again until after 5am, while individuals’ must avoid attending amateur and semi-professional sporting events as spectators.

The areas included in these latest restrictions which come into effect from today are: Northumberland, North Tyneside, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Gateshead, South Tyneside, Sunderland and County Durham.

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September 9 evening update:

Following the Government announcement yesterday we have the following update:

“We have sought clarity on what the latest Government announcement means for sport and physical activity, and while social gatherings of more than six people will be banned in England from 14 September, the government has confirmed that organised sports and activities which have been through return-to-play protocols can continue. This includes table tennis.

“People can also continue to use leisure facilities, including gyms and pools – classes within these venues can continue as they are now. 

“That’s because these sports and activities have stringent plans in place to reduce the risk of Covid-19, and because these venues are classed as Covid-secure given the measures they’ve introduced.

“As always if anyone has any challenges posed by accessing their facilities following this announcement please get in contact so we are able to support you.”

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From Tuesday September 1, Table Tennis England is moving into Stage 4 of our return to play roadmap, with local league competition able to resume.

Social distancing and hygiene restrictions continue to be in place and we recognise that not all leagues will be in a position to resume, due to venue restrictions which may be outside the control of the sport. However, league play is now permitted within the current guidance.

As part of this phase we have prepared further guidance and advice for leagues to support a return to local league play. Find out more on our Ready to Return guidance on our website.

Please see the current guidelines and timescales connected to the return of national competitions, plus our refund policy, by clicking here.

When any updated Government guidance is published, we will move as soon as we can to consider what it means for table tennis across the country. We will aim to respond to any changes promptly but we may have to wait for the Government to provide the precise details of their guidance and advice.

Our series of stages through which we anticipate table tennis activity outside of the home resuming are below:

• Stage 1 – Play and exercise at home and limited outdoor play
• Stage 2 – Limited club activity
• Stage 3 – Preparing for localised competition
• Stage 4 – Local competition resumption (where we are now)
• Stage 5 – Restricted national competitions

In all matters, the health and wellbeing of all our members, volunteers, suppliers and staff remain the key priority for the Board of Table Tennis England at this time of uncertainty and change.

Our previous statements

Following the Government lockdown guidance issued in March, the Board initially cancelled all events until the end of May and all national events until the end of June. This position was later updated so that all events, national and sanctioned, were cancelled until the end of August.

For more information on this, how we finalised league tables, a list of cancelled events and how the international game has been affected, click here to read our previous coronavirus updates.