Covid-19 guidelines for sport have been changed to allow antigen testing rather than saliva testing, the Government said today.

A spokeswoman for the Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport said Stage 3, of the return to play guidelines, which came into force yesterday, requires athletes and officials to undergo a Covid-19 antigen or lateral flow test before they attended group training.

The spokeswoman said unvaccinated people would have to take antigen tests twice a week to attend group training.

Children who are tested at school will be able to use them for sports.

Immunised people will need to be SafeKey verified to attend group training and they will need to have an antigen test before competitions.

The spokeswoman added that Stage 4 of the return to play rules would be broken into 4a, without spectators, and 4b, with fans allowed to attend.

It is expected that Bermuda could move to 4a on October 23.

Ernest Peets, the Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport, said he was pleased to see some sports activity resume.

He said: “Sport is fundamental for health and wellness so it’s a prerogative to find safe ways to maintain sport open and active.

“I believe the incorporation of antigen testing will give this assurance.

“It’s important that clubs and athletes continue to employ their Covid-19 protocols as we move into competitive training and the return to competition.”

Find the full sports guidance here.