Developments in martial arts coronavirus protocols

* * * Update: This item is now out of date. A more recent item is available on our news page. * * *

PLEASE NOTE: The information in this item of 29 May has been partly overtaken by more recent developments. For the latest news, click here.

After weeks of uncertainty, the government finally offered the martial arts gyms a prospect this week: reopening on 1 September became reopening on 1 July. But that is not the only change that was announced. These are the most important new steps on the roadmap towards normalisation.

Young people
Children up to the age of 12 were already allowed to train outdoors with contact. From 1 June young people aged 12 up to and including 18 may also train outdoors again using contact forms. This means they no longer have to observe the one-and-a-half-metre rule during training. As more than half of all Dutch competitive martial arts athletes are minors, this is a very positive development for our sports.

Martial arts gyms open
If the favourable trend of recent weeks holds, fewer coronavirus infections and fewer hospital admissions, the martial arts gyms may reopen on 1 July. This applies to all age categories. This will of course be subject to conditions. The VA (Nederlandse Vechtsportautoriteit, the Dutch martial arts regulator) is in close contact with NOC*NSF (the Dutch Olympic Committee and Sports Confederation) and with politicians in order to establish these conditions in full. The general indoor sports protocol that is already being developed will be made sport-specific in consultation with a delegation of martial arts gym owners. The VA will have this sport-specific protocol for our martial arts assessed against the requirements of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) via NOC*NSF. Once it has been approved, the VA will distribute it so that all martial arts gyms can make use of the protocol. The VA expects to be able to organise a session with established gym owners next week.

Competitions
The plan is that competitions will be able to take place again, subject to conditions, from 1 September. For the time being this will be without spectators. For now we are directing most of our energy towards the gyms. In the next phase, however, attention will turn to competitions. In consultation with established promoters from the martial arts sector, the VA intends to follow the same process as with the gym owners. They will therefore be closely involved in drawing up a sport-specific events protocol, within the frameworks set by NOC*NSF and the RIVM. As soon as more is known about this, we will of course communicate it in good time.

A big BUT
This week's developments offer the martial arts gyms a prospect of survival. Many athletes are pleased that we are taking steps forward. However, the Prime Minister added a big 'BUT' to these intentions: all of this can only go ahead if we all continue to observe the agreements properly. If the number of coronavirus infections starts to rise again, for example because of careless behaviour, all commitments can be withdrawn. That is why we emphasise this literally and figuratively: remain as disciplined as everyone has been in recent times.

Compliments
The Vechtsportautoriteit is pleased with the results achieved so far through the intensive lobbying on behalf of the martial arts gyms, conducted in recent weeks together with numerous partners. The patience, the discipline and the constructive attitude of the entire sector deserve a compliment. Let us continue to work in the same spirit, in a positive way and with the same fighting spirit, to guide the sector through this crisis in the healthiest possible condition.