Guidance for provision of out-of-school, sports and other recreational and leisure activities - Spring 2021

Guidance for provision of out-of-school, sports and other
recreational and leisure activities – Spring 2021
Bradford District Council – Public Health Team
Version 2, updated 6 April 2021 (key changes in blue font)
This document will be regularly updated in line with progression of the steps outlined in
the COVID-19 Response Spring Roadmap and any other relevant national guidance

Summary
This document covers out-of-school, sports and other recreational activities that are
currently allowed as part of the COVID-19 Response Spring 2021 Roadmap. The first
version covered outdoor activities that were allowed from 29 March 2021 as part of
step 1 of the roadmap and was published to support Easter holiday activities. This
updated version follows the Prime Minister’s announcement on 5 April 2021 that
progression to step 2 will take place as planned. From 12 April 2021, all children will be
able to attend both outdoor and indoor activities regardless of circumstance, and
outdoor attractions, community venues and leisure centres will start to reopen. This
guidance provides information for school leaders and providers of out-of-school and
leisure activities on how to make such activities safer. It also advises on management
of COVID-related situations should they occur. The content is based on national
guidance as of 06 April 2021 and applies to activities conducted in school premises
outside of schooling hours and within private-owned or community-facing premises
such as community centres, sports grounds and places of worship.

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Contents

Summary ........................................................................................................................................... 1

Context .............................................................................................................................................. 3
   Outdoor activities .................................................................................................................................. 4
   Indoor activities ..................................................................................................................................... 5

Risk assessment .............................................................................................................................. 6

Preventing, reporting and responding to COVID cases............................................................. 7
   Minimise contact with individuals who are required to self-isolate ................................................ 7
   Promoting and engaging with the NHS Test and Trace process................................................... 8
   Managing cases of COVID-19 amongst guests or service users .................................................. 9
   Containing outbreaks and looking for public health advice ............................................................ 9

Group size and setup .................................................................................................................... 10

Sports............................................................................................................................................... 10
   Off-field activity.................................................................................................................................... 10
   Prior to activity ..................................................................................................................................... 11
   During activity ...................................................................................................................................... 11
   Facility usage ...................................................................................................................................... 11

Music, dance and drama ............................................................................................................... 11

Use of shared equipment (sports, arts, music) ......................................................................... 12

Parent and child groups................................................................................................................ 12

Communicating with parents ....................................................................................................... 13
   Safe travelling advice for parents ..................................................................................................... 13

References ...................................................................................................................................... 14

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Context
The COVID Response Spring 2021 document published by the Government in
February 2021 provides a roadmap out of the current lockdown in England. The
roadmap outlines four steps for easing restrictions. Progression to each new step will
be data-driven and based on Government’s assessment of success of the vaccine
programme and reduction of infection rates.
As part of step 1, schools reopened to all pupils from 8 March, and further outdoor
activities were allowed from 29 March, meaning that people are no longer legally
required to Stay at Home. However indoor activities were still restricted to vulnerable
children and most outdoor attractions and community venues remained closed.
From 12 April, as part of step 2, all children will be able to attend indoor activities
regardless of the circumstance. Outdoor attractions, libraries, community centres, and
indoor leisure centres will be allowed to reopen. Some activities will continue to be
limited to those within a same household or bubble, and social distancing and other
safe behaviours must be always followed.
This guidance updates the first version published just before the Easter Holiday in line
with step 2 of the Spring Roadmap. Below is a summary of the changes from 12 April.

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Outdoor activities
Key changes from 12 April
- Social contact rules will not change further at this point. Outdoor gatherings must still
be limited to 6 people or 2 households as in Step 1, and no indoor mixing will be
allowed unless otherwise exempt.
- The majority of outdoor settings and attractions can reopen, including outdoor
hospitality, zoos, theme parks, drive-in cinemas and drive-in performances events.

All children will be able to access any outdoor childcare and supervised activities.
People will be allowed to meet one another in any outdoor setting - including private
gardens - in groups up to six people (the Rule of 6) or with one other household.

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Different households will still need to keep social distance from each other. Those in a
support bubble will continue to count as part of the same household.

Outdoor sports facilities will be allowed to reopen (e.g. tennis and basketball courts,
swimming pools) and should be used in line with wider social contact limits.
Parent and child groups can also take place outdoors with a limit of 15 attendees.
Children under 5, and up to 2 carers for a person with a disability who needs
continuous care, are not counted towards the gatherings limits for exercising or
recreation outside.
Organised outdoor sports - for adults and under 18s - can also restart and will not be
subject to the gatherings limits but should be compliant with specific guidance issued
by national governing bodies.

Outdoors activities and risk of COVID transmission
Though the airborne risk of COVID-19 transmission is much lower outdoors than inside, the
risk of infection via larger droplets remains high if people engage in prolonged, face-to-face
close contact with others. Therefore, maintaining 2m distancing outdoors is still advisable.
Outdoor surfaces may also still become contaminated with the virus, so it is also important
to be mindful of what shared objects, e.g. playground surfaces and gate handles, are
touched, and to maintain regular hand washing.

Indoor activities
Key changes from 12 April
- All children will be able to attend any indoor children's activity, including sport,
regardless of circumstance (in step 1 this was limited to vulnerable children).
- Parent and child groups of up to 15 people (not counting children aged under five
years old) can restart indoors.
- Indoor leisure facilities such as gyms and spas will be able to reopen but should only
be visited alone or with household groups.
- The Government will open public buildings such as libraries and community centres.
Overnight stays away from home in this country will be permitted and self-contained
accommodation - those that do not require shared use of bathing, entry/exit, catering or
sleeping facilities - can also reopen, though must only be used by members of the
same household.

If any indoor activities take place at community centres, village halls, and other multi-
use community facilities support, be aware that their communal nature also makes
them places that are vulnerable to the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Detailed
guidance for the safe use of multi-purpose community facilities can be found here.

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Ventilation of indoor spaces
Good ventilation reduces the concentration of the virus in the air, which reduces the risks
from airborne transmission. This happens when people breathe in small particles (aerosols)
in the air after someone with the virus has occupied an enclosed area.
Natural ventilation is preferable to mechanical ventilation. Windows should be open where
is safe to do so. In cooler weather open just enough to provide constant background
ventilation and open more fully during breaks to purge the air in the space. Opening internal
doors can also assist with creating a throughput of air.
To balance the need for increased ventilation while maintaining a comfortable temperature,
consider: opening high level windows to reduce draughts; increasing the ventilation while
spaces are unoccupied; providing flexibility to allow additional, suitable indoor clothing, and
rearranging furniture where possible to avoid direct draughts
When mechanical ventilation systems are used, these should be adjusted to increase the
ventilation rate and if possible adjusted to full fresh air. Heating should be used as
necessary to ensure comfort levels are maintained.
The HSE ventilation and air conditioning during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
guidance provides more information.

Risk assessment
All providers of holiday activities should carry out a dedicated risk assessment.
Organisers should, as a minimum, be able to explain to parents and carers the steps
being taken to reduce the health and safety risks in the relevant setting and outline the
protective measures that are in place. Details are provided on Working safely during
coronavirus (COVID-19) and Making your workplace COVID-secure during the
coronavirus pandemic. Schools follow specific guidance and already have a risk
assessment in place, therefore activities that are operated from school premises should
also consider the risk assessment already carried out by the respective school.
Public Health England (PHE) has advised a ‘system of controls’ that consists of
principles for infection control which, if followed, are expected to minimise risks of viral
transmission. Even considering the new and more transmissible variant of coronavirus,
this system of control remains the advised strategy to contain viral spread. Details
about each recommendation can be found within the ‘Protective measures for holiday
and after-school clubs, and other out-of-school settings during the coronavirus (COVID-
19) outbreak’ government guidance.

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System of controls: Summary
Prevention
You must always:
1. Minimise contact with individuals who are required to self-isolate by ensuring they do not
attend the setting
2. Ensure face coverings are used in recommended circumstances
3. Ensure everyone is advised to clean their hands thoroughly and more often than usual
4. Ensure good respiratory hygiene for everyone by promoting the ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’
approach
5. Maintain enhanced cleaning, including cleaning frequently touched surfaces often, using
standard products such as detergents
6. Consider how to minimise contact across the setting and maintain social distancing
wherever possible
7. Keep occupied spaces well ventilated
In specific circumstances:
8. Ensure individuals wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) where
necessary
9. Promote and engage in asymptomatic testing, where available

Response to any infection
You must always:
10. Promote and engage with the NHS Test and Trace process
11. Manage and report confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) amongst the setting
community
12. Contain any outbreak by following local health protection team advice

Preventing, reporting and responding to COVID cases
It is responsibility of all providers of out-of-school, sports and recreational activities to
prevent, identify, report and manage COVID situations into their settings. Public Health
England has produced specific action cards for children’s community activities, holiday
and hobby clubs, and sports grounds and venues. We recommend all providers to
read, download and keep these action cards easily accessible. We have detailed some
key actions below:

Minimise contact with individuals who are required to self-isolate
Children and young people, staff and other adults must not come into the activity
setting if:

    •   they have one or more COVID-19 symptoms (a high temperature, a new
        continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste)
    •   a member of their household, support or childcare bubble has COVID-19
        symptoms

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   •   they are required to quarantine having recently visited other countries
   •   they have been advised to isolate by NHS test and trace or the local health
       protection team
   •   they have had a positive COVID-19 test (whether this was an LFD or PCR test)
Parents and carers must be reminded of these stipulations regularly; visibly promoting
them via posters is also helpful.
Children should not be requested to present evidence of negative test results or other
medical evidence before being admitted or welcomed back after a period of self-
isolation.
If a child, young person or staff member develops coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms
but subsequently has a negative PCR test, they can return to your setting. If they
remain unwell, they should not return until they have recovered.

Advice on self-isolation
The self-isolation period for someone with COVID-19 is of 10 full days after the start of
symptoms or, if asymptomatic, after the day they took a positive test (whether this was a
lateral flow device (LFD) or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test).
Household contacts (including siblings and members of support and childcare bubbles)
should also self-isolate. Their isolation period includes the day symptoms started for the
first person in their household, or the day their test was taken if they did not have
symptoms, and the next 10 full days.
If a member of the household starts to display symptoms while self-isolating, they will need
to restart the 10-day isolation period and book a test. The other household members do not
need to extend their self-isolation period unless they also develop symptoms.
More information is provided on the COVID-19: guidance for households with possible
coronavirus infection.

Promoting and engaging with the NHS Test and Trace process
To support NHS Test and Trace in reaching close contacts, organizers or activities
should keep a record of:

   •   all staff working on the premises, shift times and their contact details
   •   all children attending the setting (include the school or early years setting that
       they attend)
   •   close contact between children and staff in specific groups or rooms
   •   the timing of the activities and interactions
These records should be kept for 21 days and data provided to NHS Test and Trace if
requested. After 21 days, records that were created solely for the purpose of NHS Test
and Trace information must be securely disposed of or deleted. Records which are
made and kept for other business purposes do not need to be disposed of after 21
days.
In places of worship, where this is not a legal requirement, consent to collect the data
should still be sought from individuals.

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It is recommended that all venues display an official NHS QR code poster so that
customers and visitors can ‘check in’ using the NHS COVID-19 app. If an app user
chooses to use the QR code check-in feature, they should not have their contact
details collected again by the organizers. Official NHS QR posters can be generated
online.

Managing cases of COVID-19 amongst guests or service users
If anyone in attendance develops COVID-19 symptoms, organizers must:

    •   send them home to begin self-isolation
    •   advise that all households members should also self-isolate
    •   advise them to book a PCR COVID-19 test
Tests for symptomatic people can be booked online through the NHS testing and
tracing for coronavirus (COVID-19) website, or by telephone calling 119. If they test
positive, NHS Test and Trace will speak directly to those they have been in contact
with. They may also request information from the organizer or provider of activities in
which the cases were involved.
If a child in your care displays symptoms but is awaiting collection from their parents,
they should:

    •   be moved to a well-ventilated room, if possible, where they can be isolated
        behind a closed door, with appropriate adult supervision if needed
    •   stay at least 2 metres away from other people
    •   use a separate bathroom if possible, which must be cleaned and disinfected
        using standard cleaning products before being used by anyone else
    •   A face covering should be worn by staff caring for the child while they await
        collection if a distance of 2 metres cannot be maintained.
In an emergency, call 999 if someone is seriously ill or injured or their life is at risk.

Containing outbreaks and looking for public health advice
If a given activity setting have 2 or more confirmed cases within 14 days or sees an
overall rise in children’s absence where COVID-19 is suspected, this may represent a
COVID-19 outbreak. The local health protection team (Public Health England) and the
local authority should be contacted. They will be able to advise if additional action is
required, e.g., if a larger number of children need to self-isolate, or if additional safety
measures need to be put in place in the given setting.

    •   To contact the health protection team (Public Health England) call 0113
        386 0300
    •   To contact the local authority (Bradford Council Contact Centre) call
        01274 43100, option 1

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Group size and setup
Decisions on group sizes for a given setting should be based on the current
government guidance as set out on the Spring Roadmap and also consider:

   •   the age of the children in attendance and their ability to maintain social
       distancing and practise hand hygiene
   •   the vulnerability of the children in attendance e.g. children with special needs
       might require closer contact with staff or have issues to follow social distancing
       rules
   •   nature of your activity (e.g., static set-up or activity that requires a range of
       movement)
   •   the size or layout of your premises and the ability to ventilate your premises
       effectively
The number of different people each provider and child come into contact with should
be minimised wherever possible, keeping small groups of no more than 15 children,
with the same children and same staff member each time they attend, as far as
possible.
When operating with multiple groups of children throughout the day, enough
changeover time should be allowed in between groups for cleaning, and to prevent
children and parents or carers waiting in large groups.
Multiple groups of 15 children plus staff can use the same shared space if necessary,
with distancing between the groups and adequate ventilation, although this should be
avoided where possible.

Sports
Social distancing in a sport setting is particularly important as people breathe more
heavily and rapidly during exercise, what potentially increases the risk of viral
transmission.
Only team sports whose national governing bodies have developed guidance approved
by the government should be provided, for example sports on the list available at
grassroots sports guidance for safe provision including team sport, contact combat
sport and organised sport events. Competition between different settings should not
take place.
There are four sets of key principles that should be followed for all sports activities:

Off-field activity
   •   Limiting the time spent congregating at a venue before and after a given
       sporting activity
   •   Minimising use of changing rooms and shower facilities (e.g., arriving in kit and
       showering at home)
   •   Ensuring that participants maintain social distancing throughout warm-ups,
       when not on the field of play (e.g., awaiting substitutions) and before and after
       playing
   •   Avoiding equipment sharing where possible

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   •   Advise participants to bring and label their water bottles – these should not be
       shared under any circumstances

Prior to activity
   •   Complete a risk assessment in line with guidance from the Health and Safety
       Executive (HSE) and the DfE guidance on protective measures for out-of-
       school settings
   •   Assess the transmission risk associated with that specific sport and adapt the
       gameplay if necessary, based on 3 key variables:
          o Droplet transmission (consider duration and proximity of participants)
          o Fomite transmission (minimise handling and transfer of equipment)
          o Population (the higher the number of participants the higher the risk)

During activity
   •   Ensure participants are aware that they are choosing to take part in the
       modified version of the game, including any relevant ‘COVID-19 adaptations’,
       and should comply with these measures as a condition of participation
   •   Empower match officials to ensure measures are adhered to through
       appropriate sanctions
   •   Reduce unnecessary contact such as pre-game handshakes, face-to-face
       interaction, scoring celebration and ensure participants remain socially
       distanced during breaks
   •   Discourage unnecessary transmission risk from shouting, conversing loudly or
       face-to-face; coaches and substitutes should refrain from shouting
   •   Spectators must adhere to legal gathering limits whilst attending events, and
       avoid shouting or raising their voices; there is an additional risk of infection
       where people are shouting or conversing loudly in close proximity to others
       (particularly indoors and when face-to face)
   •   If injury treatment is needed, use face masks, sanitise hands at the earliest
       opportunity, and keep a record of each participants medical personnel have
       come into contact with for 21 days

Facility usage
   •   All venues must have entry, exit and parking arrangements that ensure social
       distancing can be maintained, implement traffic-flow systems where possible
       and outline socially distanced areas for teams, officials and spectators as
       required
   •   Ensure adequate ventilation with particular attention to areas where high
       intensity exercise activity takes place

Music, dance and drama
There is some evidence of additional risk of viral transmission with activities that
require singing and shouting, particularly with high numbers of individuals within a
confined space. Therefore, music, dance and drama sessions should follow a particular
set of measures outlined next.

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   •   Playing instruments and singing in groups should take place outdoors wherever
       possible
   •   If indoors, consider limiting the numbers in relation to the space, for example,
       rooms with high ceilings are expected to enable dilution of aerosol transmission;
       and ensure good ventilation
   •   Position wind players so that the air from their instrument does not blow into
       another player
   •   Use microphones where possible or encourage quiet singing
   •   Keep any background or accompanying music to levels which do not encourage
       participants to strain their voices, shout or come closer together to be heard
   •   Avoid sharing instruments and equipment wherever possible (see specific
       advice below)
Additionally, children should remain in the same group wherever possible - similar to a
school bubble. If staff need to move between groups of children, they should try and
keep their distance from other staff as much as they can.
More information is provided on the specific guidance for performing arts safely during
coronavirus.

Use of shared equipment (sports, arts, music)
Equipment that is shared between groups or individuals, such as sports or art
equipment, should be handled according to the following principles:

   •   Shared equipment should be cleaned frequently and in between use by
       different individuals / groups (including any props, microphones and music
       stands)
   •   Alternatively, or in addition to cleaning, shared equipment could be rotated to
       allow it to be left unused for 48 hours (72 hours for plastics) between use by
       different groups
   •   Avoid sharing equipment that touches the head and face e.g., helmets
   •   Increase handwashing before and after handling equipment
   •   Create picking-up and dropping-off collection points where possible, rather than
       passing equipment hand-to-hand
Children should only bring essential items into a given setting, though personal bags
are permitted.
Outdoor playground equipment should be cleaned more frequently than usual, and,
where possible, between use by different groups of children.

Parent and child groups

Key changes from 12 April
- Parent and child groups for children aged under five years can now restart indoors.

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Groups must have no more than 15 attendees. Children under five and someone who
is working as part of the group, such as a group leader, are not counted in this number.
It is a legal requirement that support groups and parent and child groups must be
organised by a business, a charitable, benevolent or philanthropic institution, or a
public body, and must only be held in places that are permitted to be open and not in
private dwellings.
It is important for group leaders to ensure that:

   •   A risk assessment is completed prior to groups and activities taking place
   •   Social distancing is maintained between adults who do not live together and are
       not in the same support bubble or childcare bubble
   •   Everyone maintains good hand hygiene. Participants should clean their hands
       as they arrive and as they leave
   •   Adults wear face coverings where social distancing between adults is not
       possible
   •   Where permitted to be held indoors, the areas used are well ventilated with
       fresh air
   •   Where singing takes place, the guidance in the music, dance and drama
       section is followed
   •   Any rooms used by these groups are cleaned after each use
   •   A record of all visitors to the setting is kept for 21 days

Communicating with parents
When communicating with parents and carers about safety measures, organizers
should:

   •   Make clear to parents and carers which children are eligible to attend and for
       which purposes (e.g., who are eligible for indoors activities at this stage)
   •   Advise parents and carers that they should be limiting their use of multiple out-
       of-school settings in order to minimise mixing, if possible, sending their children
       to the same settings consistently
   •   Ensure they know the process for pick-up and drop-offs, for example, which
       entrance to use or limiting to one parent or carer per family. Try to avoid the
       need for parents and carers to wait if possible, but where they have to, consider
       whether distancing markings can be used and make clear they cannot gather at
       entrance gates or doors.

Safe travelling advice for parents
   •   Use settings local to your home or child’s school or college
   •   Avoid public transport and encourage the children to walk, cycle, or scoot
   •   Alternatively, have the children dropped off by a member of their household in a
       private car
   •   Avoid car sharing with anyone from outside your household or your support or
       childcare bubble
   •   if you need to use public transport, plan ahead to avoid busy times and routes
   •   If you use public transport, always wear a face covering and sanitise your
       hands before and after entering the transport

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   •   If planning a day out, before travelling, double check if facilities are open to
       visitors (for example, car parks and toilets), and if both outdoor grounds and
       indoor attractions are opened.

References
COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021
Guidance for schools: coronavirus (COVID-19)
Actions for schools during the coronavirus outbreak
Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus (COVID-19)
outbreak
What parents need to know about early years providers, schools and colleges during
COVID-19
Protective measures for holiday or after-school clubs and other out-of-school settings
for children during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Guidance for parents and carers of children attending out-of-school settings during the
coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Coronavirus (COVID-19): grassroots sports guidance for the public and sport providers
Guidance for people who work in performing arts, including arts organisations, venue
operators and participants.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice on accessing green spaces safely
Maintaining records of staff, customers and visitors to support NHS Test and Trace
Testing and tracing for coronavirus
COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection