Players on the World Snooker Tour in Britain have been cleared to return to their practice facilities ©Getty Images

Players on the World Snooker Tour in Britain have been cleared to return to their practice facilities under guidelines from the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA).

Specified conditions have to be met in order for players to be able to train, the WPBSA said after the British Government published its COVID-19 recovery strategy this week.

Only one player at a time will be allowed at each venue, while the facilities will have to commit to a "thorough clean" before training can take place.

Players should also bring their own cue and set of balls and staff at venues will be asked to wear masks and gloves, while maintaining Government rules on social distancing.

Snooker is among the sports to have been impacted by the coronavirus crisis ©Getty Images
Snooker is among the sports to have been impacted by the coronavirus crisis ©Getty Images

The announcement from the WPBSA follows the British Government saying "all workers who cannot work from home should travel to work if their workplace is open" as part of its COVID-19 plan.

Proposals from the WPBSA on the re-opening of snooker clubs have been submitted by the UK Parliament's All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) to the Sports Minister.

"The unprecedented global situation that exists has had a profound effect upon us all and of course snooker has not been able to escape the reality that we currently find ourselves in," said WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson.

"Our message to everyone connected with snooker however is that the WPBSA is there for you and are working hard to be able to restart our sport – at all levels – as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so. 

"This will not be without its challenges, but through the measures submitted to Parliament we are confident that the wider public will be able to access our sport's facilities and will remain proactive until this is achieved."