The Sports Authority of India (SAI) on Thursday unveiled the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the resumption of training of the athletes.

However, the national sports body did not notify exactly when training would be started.

“Resumption of training will depend on local administration’s approval,” said SAI secretary Rohit Bharadwaj.

As per the SOP, the SAI asked all its centres to constitute a COVID-19 tasks force before resumption of training.

All athletes and staff of SAI centres have been asked to download the AarogyaSetu app.

The SAI has also asked its centres to disinfect its premises using clinically approved disinfectants like 1 per cent sodium hypochlorite solution which have no significant side-effects on exposure through touch or smell.

Disinfection of training equipment after every use, a bar on sparring, and usage of gyms in shifts are among the measures to tackle the COVID-19 threat in SAI’s SOP.

The athletes have also been asked to follow strict social distancing norms and to wear masks at all times except during sports activities.

All training activities at SAI centres have been stopped since March 17 and the nationwide lockdown was announced on March 24 as a precautionary measure against COVID-19.

The home ministry allowed the opening of sports complexes and stadia in its guidelines for the fourth phase of the lockdown which has been extended till May 31.

“Sports complexes and stadia will be permitted to open. However, spectators will not be allowed,” the ministry of home affairs (MHA) stated.