Parliament to consider whether golf courses can remain open during lockdown

Golf courses in England may be scheduled to close on Thursday under UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's new month-long Covid lockdown, but Parliament will now need to respond to the matter after a petition to keep courses open has reached more than 100,000 signatures. 

The petition - titled 'Exempt golf courses from the list of venues required to close due to Covid-19' - surpassed the magic 100,000 mark on Sunday morning just 18 hours after Johnson addressed the nation with news of the country's second lockdown that will last from Thursday November 5 to Wednesday December 2. 

CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION

"Isolation essential to the Government’s strategy for fighting coronavirus, and UK citizens must remain healthy and exercise whilst keeping adequate distance between people," reads the petition.

"The Government should allow golf courses to open so families or individuals can play golf in order to exercise safely.

RELATED: GOLF COURSES TO CLOSE IN ENGLAND UNDER NEW LOCKDOWN RESTRICTIONS

"This could be achieved on golf courses, whether families or individuals are playing rounds. On the course everyone can keep a safe distance from each other. Let's make use of the space and the open air.

"Golf can help people stay healthy and happy whilst observing social distancing rules."

New guidelines according to gov.uk claim that golf courses and driving ranges must close from Thursday November 5. 

A Sky News article read: "Outdoor exercise and recreation encouraged and is unlimited - only with your household/bubble, on your own or with one other person from a different household (golf is not allowed)."

The PGA has since issued a statement, which read as the following in its latest article, which you can read here.

"The UK Government has this evening (31st October) announced a one-month lockdown of England, starting at midnight on Thursday 5th November running until Wednesday 2nd December," reads a statement by The PGA. 

"These new measures will see the closure of pubs, restaurants, and non-essential retail. People can continue to exercise for unlimited periods outdoors, either with people from their own households or on a one-to-one basis with one person from another household.

"The PGA is working with the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Golf to study the detail, and to establish the exact restrictions on golf clubs and their facilities as the information becomes available. We will communicate definitive guidance once received from Government."

England Golf are also awaiting the latest update - read here.