The Minister for Health and Social Services Vaughan Gething has announced that new restrictions on social gatherings will be introduced in Newport alongside four other areas of Wales to stop the spread of COVID-19. We’ve looked at the impact this has on Dragons.
Training
Dragons players will continue to train at their Ystrad Mynach base with travelling to work if you are not able to work from home included alongside a number of other reasonable excuses permitting people entering and leaving the county during the new lockdown restrictions.
Dragons players and coaching staff undergo a rigorous testing programme operated by the Welsh Rugby Union at significant cost and isolate themselves immediately if they test positive for the virus so as not to become spreaders.
Fixtures
With the rigorous testing in place, elite athletes have been allowed to return to play since July, with rugby fixtures resuming in August and this will continue into the new season with fixtures played behind closed doors.
The new Guinness PRO14 season is set to start on October 2nd and will include fixtures between sides from Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. These fixtures will continue as planned and are set to be announced imminently.
Attendance at matches
Dragons will be unable to lodge an application with the Welsh Government to be a pilot venue for a phased return for spectators until the city is out of local lockdown and the latest UK government advice has delayed the return of supporters to watch live sports events even in restricted numbers.
Dragons are confident their COVID-compliant venue will allow them to bring back season ticket holders, once safe to do so.
Regular discussions have been held with the Safety Action Group, comprised of council and emergency service representatives, and plans have been put in place for social distancing around the ground, once this is granted.
Season members that have renewed for 2020/21 season will receive absolute priority to attend fixtures once given the green light or will be entered into a ticket ballot should the Rodney Parade capacity be reduced below the number of eligible members.
