As significant steps are being taken to get boxers back in the ring, so too are measures to determine who can and cannot be a part of the modified on-site process in the United Kingdom.

Per guidelines under the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC), boxing events taking place behind closed doors will prohibit fans in attendance along with personnel aged 70 and older. All participants will be required to submit to and pass a coronavirus test, as well as undergo a period in isolation prior to being cleared to fight once the sport resumes.

With the Government yet to lift the lockdown initiated in the UK to stop the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the BBBofC’s target date to resume has now been pushed back to July. All promoters were written to by Robert Smith, general secretary of the BBBofC general secretary with a plan of action for the resumption.

“It is important to recognise that when professional boxing promotions can resume, there may be restrictions in place,” read a BBBofC statement issued to all UK promoters on Thursday. "Depending upon Government decisions it is hopeful that professional Boxing will commence in July 2020 and we will continue to use our best endeavors to do so and are working closely with our promoters.”

In the likely event that crowds are not permitted, admittance will only be allowed for a minimal number of officials, licence holders, members of the promoter’s team and broadcasting personnel "to facilitate a tournament that meets all BBBofC safety requirements.”

Each venue must be approved by the BBBofC and entry will be refused to anyone who is deemed at “severe risk of serious illness from coronavirus.” According to the Government guidance, which was attached to the statement, this includes people over 70, anyone under 70 with a serious underlying health condition or reduced immune system and anyone who is pregnant.

There will be a maximum of five bouts on any show and coronavirus testing for all boxers, who will also have to undergo a period in quarantine. Any person attending the show must fill out a COVID-19 medical form, while the BBBofC head office will communicate directly with hospitals identified as destinations for emergencies of neurological care to ensure there would be adequate space in the event of an injury.

There have been no professional boxing shows in the UK since March 14.

Ron Lewis is a senior writer for Boxing Scene. He was the boxing correspondent for The Times, where he worked from 2001-2019 - covering four Olympic Games and numerous world title fights across the globe. He has written about boxing for a wide variety of publications worldwide since the 1980s.