TOP sportsmen are to be given an exemption from the 14 day coronavirus travel quarantine to allow for the return of international competitions.
The Sun can reveal that football and motor racing chiefs are locked in discussions with ministers to allow them to come and go more freely from abroad.
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Two weeks of isolation would mean resuming competitions such as the Champions League or Formula 1 would be impossible.
The new move for everyone entering Britain, including UK nationals, was announced by Boris Johnson on Sunday night as a new protective measure in his roadmap.
But senior government figures have agreed sports stars will not be subject to the full rule.
They will instead be expected to undergo a rigorous testing regime and isolate themselves immediately if they test positive for the virus so as not to become spreaders.
A senior Government source said: “There will be exemptions for sports”.
But in a dig at a Manchester City defender who admitted repeatedly breaking lockdown rules, the source added: “I couldn’t say for sure that Kyle Walker will be I’m included though”.
The exemption gives the return of international sport as major boost, with No10 keen to give a lift to long suffering fans.
There has been no live sport since mid-March when the first elements of the nationwide lockdown was enforced.
As The Sun revealed on Saturday, ministers are working on a plan with Formula 1 chiefs to save the British Grand Prix on its 70th anniversary this summer.
It looked set to join the other nine Formula 1 races already cancelled worldwide due to the pandemic.
Both sides are desperate to save the spectacle set for Silverstone on Sunday July 19 if they can, by running the race without spectators.
Formula 1 chiefs now think they can restart the season, with all races closed events, beginning in Austria on July 5.
Under the plan, the sport's vast travelling caravan would be in a sealed bubble.
Premiership bosses will also meet this week in a bid to thrash out a plan to finish the season, with games hoped for again behind closed doors next month.
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