Angling may be first sport to return when restrictions ease

FISHING potentially could be one of the first sports to get permitted when lockdown restrictions are relaxed, a government official has hinted this week.

Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden MP, stated his department had been compiling evidence on which sports could best socially distance, with hints fishing and golf could be front of the line.

Ultimately, however, any decision would be down to the Prime Minster and in keeping with scientific advice.

Fellow Conservative MP, Giles Watling, asked during a select committee meeting, if considerations could be made for non-contact sports such as golf, bowls and fishing.

In response the Culture Secretary said:

“We are gathering that information. In respect of all sports I want us to ease restrictions as quickly as we are able to, but that has to be consistent with the public evidence and guidance.”

The comments have provided anglers currently on lockdown with some hope that restrictions on the sport may lift sooner rather than later. Social media has been a battlefield over the past few weeks, with a portion of the angling community stating fishing is ‘the best form of social distancing’ and therefore should ‘not be restricted’.

Currently, the advice remains that fishing is ‘not an essential form of exercise’ and anglers should stay at home.