This guidance is being produced to support athletes, participants with a disability, SDS Branches, coaches, volunteers and staff on Phase 3 of the return of outdoor sport and physical activity in Scotland.This guidance follows the Scottish Government’s updates route map Coronavirus (COVID-19) Phase 3: Scotland’s route map update – 10 September 2020.
The free NHS Scotland Protect Scotland app has been designed to help us protect each other, reduce the spread of Coronavirus and avoid further lockdowns. By using the app and following current public health measures we can all stay safe when we meet up, socialise, work or travel. To find out more and download the app please visit protect.scot.
Sporting activities can now be undertaken, providing all activity is consistent with current Scottish Government guidance on health, physical distancing and hygiene – you will also need to make sure that your club, facility and participants are made aware and can adapt to changes in guidance at short notice. Information on Scottish Governments approach to managing COVID-19 is available at Scottish Government: Coronavirus in Scotland.
People who are symptomatic should self-isolate for 10 days and household members for 14 days as per info on NHS guidance. No one who is self-isolating should attend a sports facility or activity.
To manage a safe return to sport and leisure activities it is a mandatory requirement that all clubs, facility operators and deliverers put in place comprehensive Test & Protect procedures to help break chains of transmission of Coronavirus (COVID-19). Further information is available within this guidance and at Scottish Government: Test & Protect.
The free NHS Scotland Protect Scotland app has been designed to help us protect each other, reduce the spread of coronavirus and avoid further lockdowns. By using the app and following current public health measures we can all stay safe when we meet up, socialise, work or travel. To find out more and download the app please visit protect.scot
SGBs, clubs and participants should be aware that the easing of restrictions does not mean that all facilities will open immediately. Clubs, owners and operators will require time to consider all the implications of opening facilities and put plans in place to re-engage staff and to set up operations that ensure the safety of participants, staff and volunteers. This is a difficult time for everyone so please be patient.
Where a participant with a disability requires functional support to enable their participation in physical activity and sport this can be provided without maintaining physical distancing. This support can be provided by a coach or other individual. In such circumstance the responsible ‘Covid Officer’ should consider appropriate mitigating actions as part of the risk assessment. For instance, providing appropriate PPE, limiting the number of participants an individual provides functional support to, limiting the duration spent in close proximity, or a combination of actions
Further information on supporting the inclusion of participants with a disability can be found here.
Equality & Inclusion
Covid-19 is affecting everyone. But the impact of the pandemic is not being felt equally. Before the pandemic certain groups were less likely to participate in sport and physical activity. These groups are also the most at risk of worsening inequalities due to Covid-19:
- Older people
- Disabled people
- Ethnic minorities
- Women
- People from deprived communities
It is more important than ever to consider inclusive guidance for people who need extra support to be active and sports facility operators should consider this as part of their work to encourage people to return.
The evidence emerging has clear implications for how we design and deliver sport and physical activity. Some key areas for consideration include;
Communication – Digital exclusion is a key issue. With so many services and so much information moving online it risks worsening the health impacts of the pandemic. We have to think innovatively about the range of ways we can provide information to people about sport and physical activity.
Accessibility – Accessibility of our environments is another key issue emerging from the pandemic. As clubs and leisure centres re-open it’s important to build understanding of people’s specific accessibility needs around things like hygiene, physical distancing and face coverings so we can provide the best possible support to people to take part in sport and physical activity.
Anxiety, mental health and wellbeing – The pandemic is leading to an increased risk of anxiety and mental ill-health for people who share all characteristics. We know that sport and physical activity can have significant benefits for people’s mental health so it’s vital that we continue to promote those benefits, so people are encouraged to get involved.
Confidence – Confidence to return to sport is a big issue across all groups. We know that some groups are at higher risk from Covid-19 than others (including some ethnic minorities, disabled people and households experiencing poverty). These groups may be even more nervous about returning to sport or starting to participate. They are also less likely to participate in sport in the first place, so we’ll need to give extra attention to their needs to help build their confidence.
The information outlined below is generic and should be used to inform the development of suitable sport specific guidance which can be shared with participants, clubs, local authorities/trusts, third sector and other sports facility operators.
Should a return to sport be possible for your sport during phase 3 in line with government and your sport specific Scottish Governing Body guidelines. Further guidance will be available from your mainstream Scottish Governing Body to advise you on the implications for your individual sport. For further information on sportscotland’s guidance on Phase 3: return to sport and physical activity click here and Scottish Governing Bodies guidance click here
Permitted Sport and Leisure Activities
Subject to the guidelines below a ‘field of play bubble’ can be created whilst an organised sporting or leisure activity is taking place indoors or outdoors, in effect suspending physical distancing guidelines for the duration of the activity.
Where there is likely to be proximity (within 2m) or contact between participants aged 12 years or over involved in a sporting activity, mitigating actions must be put in place to minimise risk and keep participants safe. For instance:
SGB guidance should focus on providing sporting activity involving as few participants as possible, for the minimum amount of time, whilst still allowing the activity to run effectively. This may also require a change to game formats, numbers and/or rules to minimise risk to participants.
As soon as a participant has completed training, a competition or event, they should leave the field of play/venue.
No spectating should take place other than where a parent or carer is supervising a child or vulnerable adult or when following specific sector guidance for events.
Outdoor Sport & Leisure Activity
Facility operators may open all outdoor sports areas, courts and pitches if documented risk assessments are undertaken and all appropriate measures are put in place to ensure the safety of participants, staff and volunteers. Please refer to additional guidance produced by sportscotland at: Getting Your Facilities Fit for Sport.
Adults and children can take part in organised outdoor non-contact and contact sports training, competition or events if guidance within this document is followed.
A sporting ‘field of play bubble’ can consist of a maximum of 30 people including coaches and officials at any one time. In exceptional circumstances, numbers may be increased, but only if approved directly by Scottish Government or where specific Scottish Governing Bodies of sport (SGBs) guidance and mitigating actions have been agreed by sportscotland.
Where SGBs or sports facility operators are considering running outdoor sport or leisure activities with multiple bubbles of 30 people taking part, they must ensure that these bubbles do not mix at any time including before, during or after the activity. Consideration should be given, for example, to staggered starts, different access/egress points at venues, parking arrangements and the duration of activities.
SGBs and sports facility operators should introduce a period of training to familiarise participants with guidelines before running competitions.
Outdoor group coaching for organised sport and leisure activities including aerobics and fitness classes can take place with up to 30 people at any one time, including the coach, if physical distancing is maintained.
Indoor Sport & Leisure Activity
Indoor sport and leisure facilities can open if Scottish Government Coronavirus (COVID-19): Guidance for the opening of indoor and outdoor sport and leisure facilities is fully implemented.
Indoor contact and non-contact sports training, activity and competition can be undertaken by children up to and including the age of 11 years.
Indoor non-contact sports training, activity and competition can be undertaken by those 12 years of age or older.
Non-contact sports where participants would normally encroach within 2m can resume if mitigating measures are introduced to limit this risk. For instance, the implementation of physically distanced training or competition with amended rules which support physical distancing. Any proposed changes must be included in SGB guidance and approved by Scottish Government or sportscotland.
An indicative date of 5 October 2020 has been identified by Scottish Government for further changes to sport and leisure activity including;
Limited spectator access to sports stadia. Planned test events will go ahead and further test events may take place before 5 October.
Resumption of indoor contact sports and competition for those 12 years of age or older.
The number of participants allowed to take part in indoor sport or leisure activity must be risk assessed by the sports facility operator following Scottish Government Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on the opening of indoor and outdoor sport and leisure facilities and sport specific SGB Guidance.
Local restrictions
Where a locality or region is subject to localised restrictions, not all of the changes above will apply. Details of local restrictions are available here.
Coaching & Instructing
Guidance for coaches, leaders, personal trainers, and instructors (herein referred to as coaches) is available at Getting your coaches ready for sport .
Coaches can take organised outdoor group training sessions with a maximum of 30 people involved at any one time but it is encouraged that coaches work with smaller groups where practical.
During all sessions appropriate risk assessed physical distancing and hygiene measures should be put in place to protect participants.
Boccia
For the sport of boccia there is the ability to return depending on the readiness of facility providers to open to clubs and sessions for training purposes only.
Competition will be considered in the future. SDS will publish further updates and guidance as and when competition is allowed to return.
SDS has published a separate Return to Boccia Guidance Paper. To access this guidance please follow this link: Return to Boccia
General Guidance
To prevent spread of the virus, please follow the FACTS:
Face coverings
Avoid crowded places
Clean hands regularly
Two metre distance
Self-isolate and book a test if you have symptoms
IMPORTANT: People who are symptomatic should self-isolate for 10 days; household members for 14 days as per info on NHS guidance. No one who is self-isolating should attend a sports facility/activity.
Shielding is currently paused and it is the individuals responsibility to decide when it is safe for their return to sport. The advice is highlighted in Coronavirus (COVID-19) Phase 3: Scotland’s route map update – 10 September 2020 a separate Route Map. The advice to people is to continue to strictly follow the guidelines on physical distancing, handwashing, surface cleaning and respiratory hygiene guidance on the NHS Inform website.
What to do if someone in the club or session has Covid-19
sportscotland Phase 3: Return to Sport & Physical Activity
For further guidance on the following areas please refer to the Phase 3; Return to Sport and Physical Activity document produced by sportscotland:
Furlough Scheme
Sport Facility and Operational Guidance
Equipment Provision and Use
Travel Guidance
Definitions
Test & Protect
Changing Facilities, Showers & Toilets
Organised Sporting Activity for Children & Adults
Health, Safety & Hygiene
First Aid
Guidance for Participants
Physical Distancing
Spectators
Covid-19 Officer Training sportscotland Covid Officer E-learning Module
SDS key messages
- This guidance relates only to sport and physical activity in Scotland.
- Further guidance will be available from your mainstream Scottish Governing Body to advise you on the implications for your individual sport. Click here
- Guidance for coaches, leaders, personal trainers, and instructors (herein referred to as coaches) is available at Getting your coaches ready for sport.
- From the 3rd August 2020 restrictions were lifted on the number of households (or extended households) that can be coached per day.
- From the 24th August 2020 coaches can take organised outdoor group training sessions with a maximum of 30 people involved at any one time.
- During outdoor group training sessions appropriate risk assessed physical distancing and hygiene measures should be put in place to protect participants.
- Face coverings: Mandatory (with limited exceptions) on public transport and in shops
- Be kind, friendly and considerate to everyone you meet
- Follow Public Health guidelines for hygiene
- Any branch or club activity must be in accordance with the guidelines provided
- Exercise well within your capabilities
- For further details please refer to sportscotland’s guidance here
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.
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