Everyone will be aware that COVID-19 (Coronavirus) has reached the UK and Scotland and is continuing to spread. STS has received some guidance from sportscotland so we want to share this for your own health and to help limit the spread of the virus as much as possible. It is not our intention to heighten fears or concerns but rather explain our position and support the shooting community in limiting the spread as much as possible and keeping the shooting community fit and healthy. If you read further down the article, we also wanted to update you all with regards STS events and training camps as things currently stand, with the knowledge that this is continually changing and therefore this advice and the current situation regarding our events is subject in accordance with advice from national agencies.
Advice
Current advice from the UK Departments of Health is evolving and specific advice varies according to the area you have visited. Please follow the specific advice below and dial NHS 24 on 111 for further guidance.
Facts & Prevention
COVID-19 is mainly transmitted by large respiratory droplets, either aerosolised secretions or through direct or indirect contact with contaminated surfaces. It has also been detected and potentially transferable from blood, faeces and urine. It can remain on surfaces for several days. The current view is that COVID-19 has a 5-7 day incubation period but it may be as long as 14 days.
Things you can do now to minimise risk:
Excellent hand washing regularly through the day + use of hand-based gel / foam Normal soap is incredibly effective in destroying the membrane of the virus and killing it immediately. In fact, it reduces risk by 54% if you do it regularly and do it well. Dry hands thoroughly afterwards with either disposable paper towels or a hand drier.
Regular cleaning of common surfaces (door handles, equipment) with normal soap-based detergents, and avoid touching too many public surfaces if you can.
Ensure you’re healthy and well. Eat well / sleep well / keep active
Risk avoidance – be mindful of public spaces (supermarkets, restaurants, shopping centres) and avoid people who are coughing / sneezing. Face masks are probably ineffective.
Isolation of cases – anyone with respiratory symptoms (dry cough, fatigue, sore throat) and a temperature should self-isolate and contact the NHS on 111.
Useful links to regularly updated advice
Dept of Health (UK Government) will be updated at 2pm daily
World Health Organisation situation report (updates)
If we receive any further advice or should the situation regarding our events change, we will be in touch again to advise you of any update.
STS Events & Camps
As things currently stand STS will be continuing with its events and training programmes. However, to minimise any potential spread it is recommended that contact is kept to a minimum. This includes minimising greetings and not using the ‘normal’ usual social conventions of hand shaking, hugging or kissing.
At STS events and training camps, wherever possible, we will be providing hand sanitisers which we advise all people attending, whether athletes, officials or spectators, to use regularly. All our venues should also have toilets on site so we advise washing your hands regularly and thoroughly.
If someone has visited one of the affected areas recently (or has come into contact with the virus in other areas) and there is a possibility of contamination, please let us know so we can determine whether you should compete. Additionally, if we receive information from a third party that an athlete has recently visited an affected area (or has been in contact with the virus in other areas) but has not informed us or self-isolated, we may choose to decline entry. These measures are in the interest of the greater public health of those competing so please be respectful of your fellow competitors and let us know if there is a risk. In these scenarios, we will refund any entry fees fully.
At some of our events (e.g. Scottish 10m Air Championships and the STS AGM) we provide baking/food on site. At present we will continue to do this but should the situation develop then this will need to be minimised, controlled or even stopped. As such, for longer events or events going over midday or evenings, please be prepared and bring your own food and drink.
Finally, to confirm again, as things stand all our events will be going ahead as planned but the situation regarding COVID-19 is constantly changing. We are putting in place plans to ensure we have individuals on standby where possible should key individuals fall ill or be quarantined but if we need to cancel events we will always try to do so in a timely manner. If this does happen we understand your frustration but we would ask for your understanding that sometimes the circumstances are out of our hands. We will always put the safety of participants, officials and volunteers first as we do in all other aspects of the sport. Should we need to cancel events then we will ensure all participants are refunded their entry fees.
When we receive any further advice or should the situation regarding our events change, we will be in touch again to advise you of any update but if you have any questions regarding provisions at our events then please contact the STS Office or use the contacts provided above for more general health concerns and guidance.