THE return of pool remains a long way off it has been confirmed.

While snooker halls have been permitted to reopen in Wales following social distancing and hygiene regulations, pool in public houses remains off the table.

A letter from the Welsh Government confirmed its current stance.

It read: “Specific indoor sports venues such as snooker halls have been allowed to open from August 10 as part of the indoor leisure facility reopening, providing they can comply with the guidance and requirements.

“These venues will be able to seek additional guidance from the relevant sporting authority.

“Additional guidance and requirements may also be available from the local authorities, and all businesses are encouraged to check the rules from your local council, and when relevant discuss your plans with the relevant personnel.

“Regarding the restart of local league pool in pubs and clubs the latest guidance is very clear that this activity cannot go ahead yet.

“We are still unable to provide a date on when this may be changed, this will all depend on the trends of the virus over the next few weeks and months, and how the public and business owners keep to the guidelines set out for the reopening of the hospitality sector.

“While the rules are beginning to be relaxed and we begin to return to normality, it is still essential that we continue to follow the social distancing rules and limit the build-up of people in small spaces as much as possible, to keep Wales safe.

“Therefore pool, snooker, darts, indoor bowling and skittles leagues will still be banned from all indoor venues to reduce the risks of many people gathering in one area around the specific sports equipment.”

It had been hoped curtailed competitions would be completed in the summer but the latest news is another hammer blow to pub sports enthusiasts across mid Wales where darts, pool and dominoes are popular.

Newtown Pool League secretary Owen Durbridge confirmed the league could not start until the Government stance changed.

However he said: “ Pool should not take place unless social distancing guidance can be strictly followed. That will not be possible in your average pub environment.”