All 72 clubs in the English Football League, including Lincoln City, Grimsby Town and Scunthorpe United, will be tested twice a week for COVID-19.
The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) will fully fund the testing when it begins from Monday, January 11.
It comes as a re-introduction to a full league testing programme in order to be more vigilant against rising coronavirus cases.
All 72 clubs from the Championship, League One and League Two took part in mandatory testing on the week of January 4, and it has been decided that more regular testing will continue.
The EFL announced that additional testing may help identify cases quicker, as well as assisting the isolation of asymptomatic individuals.
Lincoln City were recently hit with a COVID-19 outbreak when their manager Michael Appleton and goalkeeping coach Steve Croudson had to self-isolate after testing positive for the virus on New Year’s Day.
The Imps’ First Team Manager Michael Appleton. | Photo: Lincoln City Football Club
Trevor Birch, chief executive of the EFL, said the decision was made with the health and wellbeing of players and staff in mind.
He said: “We have repeatedly maintained that adhering to the stringent protocols implemented during the re-start last summer.
“With the new strain of the virus taking hold across parts of the country, it is now clear from our discussions with our medical advisors and public health officials that additional testing, operated in conjunction with strict protocols, may prove beneficial in the immediate short-term.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the PFA for their support in helping us to finalise a position on testing across all three divisions on a twice-weekly basis.”
The testing will only be used by EFL clubs, meaning Premier League and non-league sides are not involved in this particular programme.
Due to new national lockdown restrictions, only elite sport is allowed to continue, meaning clubs in tiers 3-7 of the non-league football pyramid cannot play matches.
Of all the Lincolnshire football clubs, only Lincoln City, Grimsby Town, Scunthorpe United, Boston United and Gainsborough Trinity can carry on playing games.
The likes of Pinchbeck United, Spalding United, Grantham Town and Sleaford Town have had to pause their seasons until further notice.
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We are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after a collision caused serious injuries to a 23-year-old man.
Just before 3.30pm yesterday (2 July), we received reports of a collision on Barholm Road in Tallington. It involved a grey BMW 335D estate, a blue BMW 116D and an orange KTM motorcycle.
The motorcycle rider, a 23-year-old man, sustained serious injuries during the collision and was taken to hospital.
If you witnessed the incident and are yet to get in touch with us, please do so. If you have any other information or dashcam footage available that may have captured the road along the A1175 at the time of the collision, get in touch.
By calling 101 quoting incident 282 of 2 July.
By emailing [email protected] quoting incident 282 of 2 July in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report via the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
The 2022 Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Excellence Awards are open for applications, and Destination Lincolnshire giving you the rare chance to co-create your application with Nell Barrington, a tourism awards veteran, who has helped hundreds of businesses write winning applications over the last 15 years – including national VisitEngland winners.
The Tourism Awards Masterclass is taking place on Tuesday 12 July at 11am for one-hour online. Laura Freer, Head of Marketing at Destination Lincolnshire said: “This is a golden opportunity, after years of hard work and heartache, to get your business and team recognised and rewarded.
“A well written application is key to achieving a coveted place on this year’s shortlist, and I’d encourage all tourism and visitor economy businesses who are thinking of entering – whether they are seasoned at writing award applications or not – to join us for this exclusive masterclass.
“Nell Barrington has worked with us and VisitEngland on the founding application processes of these awards, and she is perfectly placed to assist in co-creating applications that you can be proud of. This is a great opportunity for business development too – whether you are shortlisted for an award or not – discovering how to effectively apply for awards and talk up your business adds another string to your bow.
“Booking is essential and places are limited to just 35 – so be quick! This year we’ve made our masterclass available to partners and also to those who we are yet to work with for free. Call it an added bonus, after two years away from the awards circuit.
The awards masterclass is focussed on the application process, and it will spell out what the judges are looking for. You’ll learn how to make your application stand out from the local competition, helping your chances of going through to the national VisitEngland Awards in 2023.”
There are fifteen categories open for nominations from visitors attraction, accommodation providers, hospitality businesses and many more.
The deadline for nominations is July 29, with online judging starting on July 30 and mystery shopping from August 13. Finalists will be announced on Monday, August 15.
The awards ceremony will be held at the Engine Shed on October 21, and will be hosted by Lincs FM presenter, John Marshall.
The event is organised by Stonebow Media, publishers of The Lincolnite, to celebrate the best businesses in Greater Lincolnshire, alongside headline sponsors Lincoln College and Destination Lincolnshire.
We would also like to thank our other sponsors Visit Lincolnshire, Heart of Lincs, Duncan and Toplis and LNER, insight6 and EV Camel.
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