Report: Premier League reminds players to follow distancing guidelines

The Premier League this week reminded all of its 20 clubs to follow social distancing guidelines where possible after the government said players must set good examples for the public, The Telegraph's Sam Wallace reports.

Goal celebrations and water breaks were apparently highlighted as particular areas of concern.

The top flight reportedly received the warning during informal discussions with Public Health England - an executive agency of the government's Department of Health and Social Care - and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport. The Premier League is in regular contact with both entities since they helped draw up the protocols that allowed elite sport to return in the United Kingdom.

For English football to restart, it was agreed that players must keep unnecessary contact to a minimum. The drinks stoppages were initially designed to provide time to disinfect balls, goalposts, and corner flags, as well as for players to take fluids, Reuters explains. However, managers have used the breaks as an opportunity to gather their squads and impart tactical instructions.

The country's leaders are keen for the population to continue to socially distance while lockdown measures are eased. Swimming pools and gyms are expected to reopen soon, and there's reportedly a fear that the public will emulate the recent behavior of Premier League footballers in that phase.