What the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions will mean for racing and crowds

Caps on attendances for sporting events could be lifted following confirmation on Monday from UK health and social care secretary Sajid Javid that there will be an easing of lockdown restrictions in England from July 19.

The scrapping of social distancing means that racecourses can anticipate a return to full or near-full capacity from next Monday.

Some protocols will remain at racecourses to protect participants from the potential impact of positive cases and self-isolation requirements and they are expected to be announced this week. But the current limit of 4,000 spectators is expected to be swept away.

Boris Johnson: set to add further details on Monday

Ascot will host the first major raceday after the rules relax on July 19 with the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes on July 24, but the track does not expect to have maximum capacity at the meeting.

UK prime minister Boris Johnson is set to speak later on Monday at a Downing Street briefing.

Sajid Javid confirms England will move to final step of coronavirus roadmap

Where can I go racing from July 19?

Here are the fixtures that should benefit from increased or full capacity from next Monday. The Scottish government is due to increase numbers in sports stadia on the same day but not to the same level as in England, so Scottish meetings are in italics.

Monday, July 19
Ayr, Beverley (eve), Cartmel, Windsor (eve)

Tuesday, July 20
Chelmsford (eve), Ffos Las, Nottingham (eve), Wolverhampton

Wednesday, July 21
Bath, Catterick, Leicester (eve), Lingfield, Sandown (eve)

Thursday, July 22
Doncaster (eve), Newbury (eve), Sandown, Worcester, Yarmouth

Friday, July 23
Ascot, Chepstow (eve), Newmarket (eve), Thirsk, Uttoxeter, York (eve)

Saturday, July 24
Ascot, Newcastle, Newmarket, Salisbury (eve), York

Sunday, July 25
Musselburgh, Pontefract, Uttoxeter

Do I need to buy a ticket in advance?

All racecourses are encouraging people to book in advance via either phone or the internet, although most will sell tickets on the gate unless or until capacity is reached.

Are tickets available for the major summer meetings?

The first major meeting to benefit from increased capacity will be Ascot's King George card on Saturday week (July 24), the same day as York's Sky Bet Stakes. Tickets are available for both events.

Glorious Goodwood and York's Ebor meeting are both expected to benefit from the government announcement on MondayCredit: Edward Whitaker

The following week Glorious Goodwood (July 27–31) is still advertising availability in the Gordon and Lennox enclosures across all five days, before the racing caravan rolls on to York for the four days of the Ebor festival (August 18-21).

What is the situation in Scotland and Wales?

The five racecourses in Scotland have different limits on attendance, ranging from 1,500 at Hamilton to just 250 at Ayr.

July 19 is the next date on the Scottish government's phased exit from lockdown when the hope is that a move to Covid Level 0 would see an across-the-board increase in crowd capacities, with August 9 the indicative date to remove all limits.

In Wales the current limit is in line with England at 4,000 spectators, but the next review of protocols from the Welsh government is due on Thursday.

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