OXFORD United's season will continue through the second national lockdown.

Rising coronavirus cases across the country have prompted the government to introduce new strict measures, which begin on Thursday and will last for a month.

But professional football, which has been played behind closed doors since March, will be able to go ahead as planned.

A statement from the English Football League (EFL) read: "During this next phase it has been confirmed to the League by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) that elite sport will be able to continue and EFL competitions will therefore remain as currently scheduled (in both England and Wales)."

It added: "We acknowledge the government’s national efforts in tackling this outbreak and would hope that during this next phase of the crisis, our national sport, negatively affected by COVID-19 like many other industries, can continue to provide some form of welcome distraction and give people in our communities up and down the country a sense of normality in very challenging times."

The county's other clubs are awaiting more information on what will happen to their fixture lists.

Elite sport had included the Vanarama National League South, where Oxford City play, but the league are yet to publish a statement.

Divisions below that level had been able to host crowds, subject to attendance limits, but the new measures would appear to rule that out during lockdown.

The Football Association are due to produce an update shortly.

The other area of confusion is what will happen to the Emirates FA Cup next weekend.

While some first-round ties feature two EFL sides, such as Oxford United's clash with Peterborough United, others are between non-elite clubs.

It includes Banbury United's home game with Canvey Island.

Elsewhere, the government have confirmed sport facilities including golf courses and swimming pools will be closed during the lockdown.