It is hoped a move into phase three of Scotland’s lockdown recovery plan could be the first tentative step towards planning for when next season’s Highland League can start.
The league has been in limbo for months after the 2019-20 campaign was declared over in March, with Brora Rangers named as champions.
Since then the division has been unable to make preparations for next term.
The Scottish Premiership is preparing to start the new season on August 1 while the Championship, League One and League Two clubs have all agreed to aim for an October 17 start for their seasons.
However, SPFL clubs are currently expected to conduct Covid-19 testing. Top flight sides have been testing twice a week, although that is being lowered to once a week from Monday.
Clubs in the other divisions will also be expected to carry out testing on their return.
All 42 SPFL clubs received a grant of £50,000 to help meet testing costs as a result of James Anderson’s £3 million donation to Scottish football.
Highland League clubs have not received any financial support for testing, so any return to training would need to be without testing.
Yesterday First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the country would move into phase three of the lockdown recovery, which includes pubs and restaurants being able to accommodate customers indoors and larger gatherings allowed outdoors.
League secretary Rod Houston hopes moving into phase three speeds things up.
He said: “We’re hoping that a move into phase three will allow mentality to open out and make us more hopeful of getting better news in the next few weeks.”
