This guidance is being produced to support athletes, participants with a disability, SDS Branches, coaches, volunteers and staff on phase 1 of the return of outdoor sport and recreation in Scotland.
IMPORTANT: Do not leave your home to undertake exercise or outdoor activity if Scottish Government advice means you should stay at home because you or someone you live with has or has had symptoms of COVID-19, or you are in the most vulnerable category and have been advised to shield from the coronavirus.
It has to be emphasised that phase 1 guidance does not mean a return to sport but is linked to the extension to exercise in a safe environment. It does not mean a return to competitive sport or taking part in clubs, sessions or coaching from an SDS perspective.
Some sporting activities can now be undertaken outdoors, providing all activity is consistent with current Scottish Government guidance on health, physical distancing and hygiene. Further guidance will be available from your mainstream Scottish Governing Body to advise you on the implications for your individual sport.
For the sport of boccia there will be no return to clubs, sessions or any other form of coaching or competition for the foreseeable future. SDS will publish further updates and guidance as they are announced relating to phases 2-4. https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-framework-decision-making-scotlands-route-map-through-out-crisis/
SDS key messages for the extension to exercise outdoor sport in phase 1.
- This guidance relates only to exercise in Scotland
- Only exercise with people from your own household and/ or one other household
- Stay local to home
- Travel limited to “broadly” 5 miles from home
- Be kind, friendly and considerate to everyone you meet
- Follow Public Health guidelines for hygiene
- Maintain physical distancing
- No branch/ clubs or centre organised activity
- Exercise well within your capabilities
There is still a high risk that the virus is not yet contained and there is continued risk of overwhelming NHS capacity. Our priority remains to protect the health of our coaches, volunteers, athletes, participant, staff and the wider community and help to suppress the spread of the Covid-19 virus. We should all continue to follow the government’s and public health guidelines and stay at home as much as possible. If you or anyone within your household has coronavirus you should continue to self-isolate.
Information on Scottish Governments approach to managing covid-19 is available at www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/.
People who are shielding should not visit venues or undertake activities. People who are symptomatic should self-isolate for 7 days; household members for 14 days as per info on NHS guidance. No one who is self-isolating should attend an outdoor sports facility/activity.
Should a return to sport be possible for your sport during phase 1 in line with government and your sport specific Scottish Governing Body guidelines the following general guidance should be considered.
For further information on general guidance see below.