Professional sports and athletes can resume training in Ecuador
Professional sports and elite athletes in Ecuador can resume their training, but tournaments like football are likely to only resume in July, and without spectators in the stadiums, announced the Minister of Government, María Paula Romo.
"Professional sports and elite athletes can resume training. However, championships and competitions may only resume in July, after evaluating health indicators, and without spectators," Romo posted on her Twitter account.
The professional football directors, through the Liga Pro and the Ecuadorian Football Federation (FEF), have defined a health protocol to return to training, which was presented on Friday to the Emergency Operations Committee (COE).
The FEF will cover the cost of COVID-19 tests for the members of the 26 clubs in the Liga Pro, the 17 clubs participating in the women's Super League, referees, and their assistants.
The health protocol will include care and testing for training, travel, concentration, and matches without the presence of fans while the pandemic continues.
Once the professional tournament resumes, which was suspended on March 15 when the fifth of the 30 matchdays of the current season was being played, the participants of each match will be tested 72 hours before each game.
So far, no club has reported cases of players or coaching staff affected by the coronavirus.
The preparation is being conducted virtually.