Supplement 9 to the Coronavirus Guidance – England – Clarification 3 Tier System
Supplement 9 to the Coronavirus Guidance – England Clarification 3 Tier System
BAB Comments
Latest government guidance from the Sport England website https://www.sportengland.org/how-we-can-help/coronavirus#latestgovernmentguidance
Every part of England is now in one of three Covid-19 alert levels: Tier 1 (medium), Tier 2 (high) and Tier 3 (very high). Here’s a summary of what this means for sport and physical activity:
Tier 1 (medium)
National restrictions, introduced from 24 September, continue to apply.
Indoors
Organised individual and team sports that have been through return to play protocols can continue, while adhering to the ‘rule of six’, which means playing in a group of no more than six people.
There are exemptions to this: under-18s, disabled people and, if for educational purposes, over-18s, can play in any number.
Therefore follow our current guidance and use training pods of 15, But within the 15 split the pod into 6 or less people and do not mix the groups.
Other indoor activity, such as exercise classes, can continue in larger numbers based on the size of the venue, provided that people are in separate groups of up to six people, or larger groups if they’re from the same household or support bubble, which do not mix.
Gyms and leisure facilities can stay open, and the ‘rule of six’ applies to informal activity.
Outdoors
National governing body-approved organised team sport, exercise classes and outdoor licensed physical activity and sport participation events can happen in any number provided they’re in line with Covid-secure guidance.
The ‘rule of six’ applies to informal sport.
Tier 2 (high)
Indoors
Organised individual and team sport must be played by a single household or support bubble.
Exemptions laid out in Tier 1 on specific groups of people who can play in larger numbers continue to apply.
Exercise classes can also continue as per the rules under Tier 1, while informal sport can only be played indoors by a single household or support bubble.
Gyms and leisure facilities can stay open.
Follow our current guidance and use training pods of 15, But within the 15 split the pod into 6 or less people and do not mix the groups.
The BAB standard guidance using social distancing covers us.
Outdoors
There’s no change to the guidance for outdoor sport and physical activity – the Tier 1 rules still apply.
Tier 3 (very high)
Guidance under this tier is subject to change, depending on local and national government agreements.
Indoors
Sport and physical activity can be played as per the guidance under Tier 2.
Follow our current guidance and use training pods of 15, But within the 15 split the pod into 6 or less people and do not mix the groups.
The BAB standard guidance using social distancing covers us.
Please check the local rules in Tier 3 as an example Liverpool City Region has closed gyms and leisure centres which would mean the closing of BAB Aikido Clubs.
Gyms and leisure facilities may have to close depending on local approaches to business closures.
Outdoors
Sport and physical activity can be played as per the guidance under Tier 1.
Further Information
Can multiple ‘bubbles’ of six use a facility simultaneously? E.g. multiple training ‘bubbles’ in one sports hall
The ‘rule of six’ applies to organised indoor team sport in medium (Tier 1) alert areas and sets out the number of adults who can be involved in a game or match.
This rule does not prohibit different matches happening simultaneously within the same facility, provided they’re following the relevant guidance and that separate groups of participants don’t mix.
The ‘rule of six’ does not apply to other indoor sport and physical activity, such as training and fitness-based activities. These can continue to take place with larger numbers present, provided participants are in separate and distinct groups of up to six people (or larger discrete groups from the same household or support bubble) which do not mix with other such groups.
If separate and distinct groups are likely to mix, these activities should not go ahead.
Is a coach/instructor for adult indoor sport able to coach multiple groups in back-to-back sessions?
Yes. Workers and volunteers are exempt from rules applying to organised indoor sport. This includes includes coaches, instructors and officials.
However, sports and venue operators should consider how best to minimise exposure (e.g. by limiting the number of sessions run, or the number of groups coached), as part of their risk assessment.
Further guidance can be found in the government’s guidance for providers of grassroots sport and gym/leisure facilities.