Update to COVID-19 Guidance in Scotland
Yesterday the First Minister provided an update setting out a tightening of coronavirus-related restrictions, in response to an increase in the rate of spread of the virus. The priorities mentioned aims to save lives and protect health, keep schools open, restart as many non-coronavirus NHS services as possible, and protect jobs by keeping businesses open where possible. The approach announced was more targeted than earlier in the year and did not constitute a return to full lockdown. The steps announced will be reviewed in 3 weeks.
Having confirmed the details, STS is pleased to confirm that there is no immediate and/or direct impact on the sport of target shooting over and above what has been previously released. To clarify, the imposed limitations on indoor sport in England, outlined by the Prime Minister yesterday, will not currently be replicated in Scotland so the restrictions on indoor sport remain as previously communicated and contained in version 1.4 of the STS guidance for target shooting in Scotland.
However, there was an indication that reviews around sport activity, that had previously received an indicative date of 5 October, are now likely to be further delayed. As a reminder, the potential changes most relevant for sport suggested for review were:
Indoor Contact Sport: Allowed to resume for adults and young people aged 12 and over in line with SGB guidance. (Currently only allowed for children under 12.)
Sports Stadia: Allowed to re-open for limited numbers.
Events: There will be further relaxation of restrictions on indoor and outdoor events, although this will not allow all events and particularly large events to take place.
To summarise the key points from the First Minister’s announcement that do not specifically relate to sport but may have an indirect relevance and/or impact on it are:
Private Gatherings:
People will not be allowed to visit other households indoors. The public are asked to abide by this from Wednesday Sept 23rd and will be placed into law from Friday 25th.
There are exceptions for extended households, non-cohabiting couples, informal childcare, trades people.
It is still acceptable to meet outdoors, including in private gardens, keeping to the 6 people / 2 household guidance.
When outdoors, under 12s do not count towards either the 6 people or 2 household limit.
When outdoors, 12 to 18 year olds must keep to the limit of 6 people, but are exempted from the 2 household limit.
Car Sharing: People should not car share with those from outside their household.
Hospitality Curfew: Pubs, restaurants and bars are required to close at 10pm.
Environmental Health: Additional funding for local Environmental Health teams, allowing for greater capacity for inspections of businesses to enhance compliance and enforcement.
Work From Home: People should continue to work from home where possible.
FACTS: The main public health ‘FACTS’ messaging remains: Face coverings; Avoid crowded places; Clean your hands regularly; Two meters distance; Self-isolate and book a test if you have symptoms.
Shielding: No return to shielding advice.
As has been the case throughout COVID-19, the response from shooters and their club members have been fantastic and contribute to why sport in Scotland has remained exempt from some of the restrictions being imposed. Please keep up this good work.
COVID Officer Training
As a reminder and to help make sure your club’s COVID Officer is aware of what needs to be considered, sportscotland has developed a Club COVID Officer online training module. It is recommended that at least one person in each club has been through this, although the more that know about the risks and mitigations the better. The course is free of charge and can be accessed here.
Also, STS has now updated its system so members can now add their COVID Officer Training certificate to their profile on the STS system by visiting the ‘Credentials’ section, selecting the course, choosing sportscotland as the provider and then uploading the certificate.