It’s that time of the year again… No, not that time we used to celebrate as Christmas with all our family and friends, but the time when the UK Government tells us to mask up, jab up, stay safe and don’t party or mix with any other humans in fear of catching the latest deadly virus spread from across the globe.

Now I won’t go in to my own personal ‘theory’ on Britain’s latest covid scaremongering but facts are that ‘people’ have died and ‘many’ have caught a nastier than usual bout of cold and flu during this past year or two, so to do our utmost to help the NHS (and those with shares in vaccine companies) we need to take ‘precaution’ whether we like it or not… How does that lead us on to sport you ask??? Well this latest bout of Covid-19, labelled Omicron, is starting to have an effect on that too.

Nottingham Wildcats have postponed their match against Cardiff Met Archers on Saturday due to covid concerns, this after last weekend’s game against Essex Rebels was also called off. The Wildcats next WBBL fixture will now be in the new year.

Basketball England have instructed new measures including ‘mask wearing’ in venues whilst clubs are advised to regularly temperature check and screen players.

The nations sport, Football, has already seen high level postponements involving the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United in the Premier League. Nottingham Forest have announced that for Saturday’s fixture against Hull City, fans attending the City Ground will need to have a COVID pass through vaccine certificate via the NHS app or a negative lateral flow test taken within 48 hours of matchday kick off.

Forest fans can find out more here

Fans are told to prepare in advance and arrive early on Saturday, the future of football over the winter period is likely to follow similar suit across the various levels with anybody feeling unwell advised to ‘stay away’.

You should also be prepared for cancellations, with record numbers of ‘infected’ and a large number of sporting events under scrutiny during a renowned period for heavy mixing and fever, there is likely a significant number of sports matches to be called off over the next few weeks.

If you are going to a sporting match this winter please take precaution, stay safe, keep your distance from others, do what is required to do and follow club and venue protocol to the letter, if we all do this, the quicker we can get out of this unwanted predicament for everyone concerned.

*Article provided by Daniel Peacock (Editor).

*Main image @NFFC Nottingham Forest will be requesting vax passes on entrance to the City Ground.