CONI President Giovanni Malago, left, signed the MoU ©CONI

The Italian National Olympic Committee has signed an agreement with FederLab Italia to secure swabs and tests for COVID-19.

The agreement was signed by CONI President Giovanni Malagò and FederLab Italia counterpart Gennaro Lamberti.

FederLab Italia is among the main associations in the sector of clinical analysis laboratories and private health care centres, and is accredited with the National Health Service.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will reportedly provide the opportunity for the Italian sports movement to benefit from testing provided by FederLab.

Tests will aim to detect anti-bodies against the coronavirus.

Swabs will also be taken to detect COVID-19 cases in line with health protocols.

"We are happy with this agreement, which allows us to make FederLab's professionalism and credibility available to the sports movement to manage - quickly and effectively - the controls linked to the spread of the virus," Malagò said.

The agreement will see FederLab organise a dedicated call centre, according to the needs and according to the nearest laboratories.

FederLab will send specialist personnel directly to the sports centres or to locations identified by athletes to enable tests to be carried out directly and in full compliance with regional regulations.

Limited numbers of fans were permitted to attend football matches recently, although new restrictions may be made shortly ©Getty Images
Limited numbers of fans were permitted to attend football matches recently, although new restrictions may be made shortly ©Getty Images

FederLab President Gennaro Lamberti said the agreement was part of continued efforts to ensure sporting events can be held safely amid the pandemic.

Lamberti said the organisation was increasing its efforts in this area, particularly with the view of returning spectators to watch sporting competitions.

"Thanks to the commitment of our associates and waiting for stadiums and arenas to become populated again, our association is ready to redouble its efforts to ensure ever more constant monitoring so that sports activities can take place in total safety,” Lamberti said.

A total of 1,000 fans have been permitted to attend some Serie 'A' football matches after rules were relaxed last month.

Reports have suggested this could be set to change, with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte reportedly expected to announce new restrictions which could see matches revert to being played behind closed doors.

Italy has recorded more than 504,000 cases and at least 37,000 deaths from COVID-19.

The country was initially the worst-hit European nation by the novel coronavirus.