Implication of COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown on sport activities

Abstract

Background: The world witnessed a sudden outbreak of a new strand of a deadly disease that rapidly spread throughout the globe. The spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) first originated in Wuhan, Hubei province of China in December 2019. This virus strain extended quickly throughout China and became a pandemic in the country. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed the COVID-19 novel coronavirus as a universal pandemic. Methods: Appropriate keywords were included in Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar to identify the available data. Result: Due to the rapid spread and fatality of the COVID-19, the 2020 Olympic Games formally slated for July 24 until August 9, 2020, will commence on July 23 to August 8, 2021. In March 2020, most of the European professional sports leagues, including football, were discontinued for the predictable future. Conclusion: Football resumption after the lockdown was challenging because of the inability to affirm the health status of the players when they return to their clubs. Every measure must be clear to reduce the risk of the disease and to clarify the response strategy about self-protection to the public. The sport organizing-bodies control-outlines for sports events should be strategized based on the laydown sports rules and quarantine protocols. National public health organizations and sports associations should work together to protect every level of human health and sport all over the world.