GUIDANCE TO SUPPORT SCOTTISH GYMNASTICS MEMBER CLUBS DELIVERING INDOOR GYMNASTICS BEYOND LEVEL 0 - Version 16.1: Valid from 05 January 2022
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
GUIDANCE TO SUPPORT SCOTTISH GYMNASTICS MEMBER CLUBS DELIVERING INDOOR GYMNASTICS BEYOND LEVEL 0 Version 16.1: Valid from 05 January 2022
On Wednesday 05 January, the First Minister provided an update to the Scottish Parliament on COVID-19 and
related restrictions. This reiterated the increasing challenge posed by the Omicron variant, the priority being
placed on supporting the vaccine and booster programme, and the need for businesses to strengthen
compliance with protection measures.
Businesses and service providers are reminded that they are now legally required to take reasonably practical
measures to minimise spread of coronavirus on their premises, taking into consideration Scottish Government
guidance available at Scottish Government: Safer Businesses and Workplaces.
As part of the update the First Minister also confirmed the enhanced measures put in place for up to three
weeks from 26 December 2021 for indoor contact sport for adults will continue until at least 17 January 2022.
These measures include:
Indoor Contact Sport
• Gymnastics activity for U18s can continue as normal.
• All indoor contact sport and physical activity for those aged over 18 should not take place during this
period.
• Non-contact group activity for over 18s can continue, with 1m physical distancing measures
implemented during sessions.
• Face coverings and 1m physical distancing is encouraged while moving around the facility, and at
entry/exit points for both under and over 18s.
The safety of participants remains a priority, and therefore the guidance on coach contact has not changed. You
can read the guidance at Scottish Gymnastics Covid-19 coach contact guidance for clubs and coaches
Our performance team have contacted those with exemptions, who are able to continue with training and
competition with approved plans and protocols in place.
Indoor Hospitality & Leisure Venues (including Gyms and Leisure Centres)
Physical distancing should be encouraged wherever possible. For classes, limit numbers to ensure physical
distancing can be maintained throughout the activity and at control entry/exit points, corridors etc. Face
coverings should be worn when moving through the venue. There are exemptions to this rule for some people
and situations. If exempt, you may choose not to wear a face covering. This would be the case if, for example:
• you’re under 12 years old.
• you’ve have an illness or disability which means you cannot wear one.
• wearing one would cause you severe distress.
Changes to Self-Isolation
From midnight on 06 January 2022, the rules around self-isolation and testing will change.
If someone tests positive for Covid-19 from either a lateral flow test, or PCR test, they will now be able to end
self-isolation period after seven days. This is dependent on two factors:
• They do not have a fever.
• They are able to provide a negative lateral flow test result on day six, and again 24 hours later.
The change to rules for close contacts of positive cases are as follows. Household contacts aged under 18, or
those who are older that are fully vaccinated (ie. both first, second and booster doses of the covid vaccine) no
longer need to self-isolate for 10 days, and instead will need to take a lateral flow test every day for seven days.
If any one of these tests comes back as positive, they will need to self-isolate as above.
READ: Scottish Gymnastics: Covid-19 in your clubAll of Scotland continues to be “beyond level 0”, but the Scottish Government retains the option of putting in place
local measures and travel restrictions to manage any future virus outbreaks. The detailed guidance in this
document relates to “beyond level 0”.
If local restrictions are enforced in the future, organised sporting activities can be undertaken providing all activity
is consistent with relevant Scottish Government guidance on health, physical distancing, and hygiene. You will need
to make sure that your club, facility, and participants are made aware of, and can adapt to, changes in guidance at
short notice. This is particularly important where changes to travel, physical distancing or local area protection
restrictions are implemented by Scottish Government at short notice. Information on Scottish Government’s
approach to managing Covid-19 is available at Scottish Government: Coronavirus in Scotland.
Clubs, facility operators and sport deliverers should continue to have Test & Protect procedures in place to help
break chains of transmission of Covid-19. Further information is available at Scottish Government: Test & Protect.
People who are symptomatic or identified as close contacts should follow Scottish Government and NHS guidance
on self-isolation available at Scottish Government: Test & Protect. No one who is self-isolating should attend a sports
facility or activity.
Clubs and participants should, where applicable, be aware of any local area restrictions which may be in place and
should consider this as part of risk assessment planning. Please note this may be subject to change and we will
share any new detailed guidance with clubs as soon as we can.
Scottish Gymnastics Step Forward page has the resources clubs need to operate safely including risk assessment
templates and cleaning guidance.
Please remember:
• good hand hygiene and surface cleaning
• continued promotion of good ventilation
• requirement for face coverings in clubs when not participating in activity and for coaches at all times
• continued compliance with Test and Protect, including self-isolation when necessary
• Ongoing need for outbreak management capability, including active surveillance.DETAILED CLUB GUIDANCE
COVID OFFICER LEARNING
RISK ASSESSMENTS sportscotland Covid officer e-learning module
British Gymnastics e-learning risk assessment course
Your club must
• have a Covid-19 officer who has completed the sportscotland e-learning module (above). Their role is to ensure
all appropriate management processes are in place and oversee that you are following this guidance
• put in place mitigating measures and document in risk assessment, based on your local circumstances before
any activity takes place – template below. British Gymnastics course above can help you
• specific consideration should be given to the needs of those who are at greater risk including some older adults
or those with disabilities.
• participants should not congregate before or after an activity. Operators should ensure comprehensive
mitigating actions are put in place and documented in their risk assessment to stop this happening. Consider
staggering start/arrival times and any other relevant additional measures.
• must make members aware of the requirement to follow Scottish Gymnastics guidance before taking part in
activity and reserve the right to intervene where there are any clear and visible breaches of this guidance by
participants. Where such breaches take place you should notify your Covid officer overseeing the activity and
they should in turn take appropriate action to mitigate future risk and protect participants and the wider public.
RESOURCES
Step Forward risk assessment
• Sample risk assessment form A
• Sample risk assessment form B
FACILITIES READ
sportscotland keeping your facilities fit for sport
Scottish Gymnastics checklist of considerations and actions
Scottish Government Covid-19 guidance on Safer Businesses and Workplaces
You can return to normal facility occupancy levels but please focus on good ventilation and ‘give people space’
messaging.
Ventilation: monitor to maintain levels at 800-1000ppm. Ventilation information for venues with and without
mechanical ventilation is in sportscotland getting your facilities fit for sport (above).
Physical distancing has been one of the most effective methods to protect ourselves and others from getting Covid-19.
From 26 December,
• Gymnastics activity for U18s can continue as normal.
• All indoor contact sport and physical activity for those aged over 18 should not take place during this period.
• Non-contact group activity for over 18s can continue, with 1m physical distancing measures implemented during
sessions.
• 1m physical distancing is encouraged while moving around the facility, and at entry/exit points for both under
and over 18s.
Face coverings must be worn out with activity (see hygiene, health & safety below).
Coaches should continue to wear face masks during activity, unless exempt.
Maintain hygiene and surface cleaning measures.
Any measures your club puts in place to allow activity to continue must be flexible and able to adapt quickly if your local
authority moves back into a different protection level. You should check with Scottish Government and Scottish
Gymnastics guidance.
Where a local outbreak has been reported, you should review your facility/operational risk assessment and consider if
additional mitigating actions should be put in place to reduce risk. This may, for example, include suspending activity,
enhancing hygiene and physical distancing measures, or introducing additional activity restrictions.
Your club should keep a completed indoor risk assessment considering appropriate mitigating actions for both the
activity and Covid-19 on file and revisit this for each session.
Consider different entry and exit routes to the facility where possible and ensure these are clearly marked.DETAILED CLUB GUIDANCE
CLEANING
READ Scottish Gymnastics cleaning guide
for details on how to clean equipment, surfaces and areas in a gym and how often.
Cleaning of equipment, hand and respiratory hygiene are core measures to be implemented and you should make
provision for these.
Please continue to follow the Scottish Gymnastics cleaning guidance. Note changes for use of foam pits, jersey mats
and hand apparatus
CAPACITY
There are no restrictions on the number of participants. However, we recommend a minimum of four square metres
(4sqm) per person for normal gymnastics activities in a non-Covid world.
The maximum capacity in club gyms and indoor sports halls should be based on:
• the nature of the activities to be undertaken (i.e. static or dynamic),
• the equipment layout
• overall ventilation and configuration of the facility.
If you do not have your own facility, check capacity limits with the venue/facility provider. They may need to
consider other factors to work out the maximum capacity in a facility.
You must conduct a risk assessment for the facility and the proposed activities to work the maximum safe capacity in
each of the spaces. The risk assessment must consider the:
• activities that can be undertaken and the spaces that will be used
• impact of ventilation on the overall maximum capacity for the building
The following will help you calculate overall facility size and actual gymnastics activity capacity.
Calculate your facility total footprint (including non-gymnastics space) by multiplying width by length:
Example A Example B Example C
16m 15m 17m
8m
Office
18m 18m
35m
10m
Office
10m
(18m x 10m) + (8m x 5m) = 18m x 17m = 306m
2
2
2
220m
35m x 16m = 560m
Calculate your overall facility capacity by using the following formula:
Total footprint area
= overall facility capacity
4
560m 220m 306m
= 140 people = 55 people = 76 people
4 4 4
CHANGING ROOMS, SHOWERS, LOCKERS AND TOILETS
READ Scottish Government Opening Public Toilets Guidelines
sportscotland keeping your facilities fit for sportDETAILED CLUB GUIDANCE
• Where changing rooms and showering facilities are used, follow guidance in sportscotland getting your facilities
for sport – see guidance at start of section
• Ensure mitigating actions are put in place to minimise the risk of virus transmission in locker rooms with hygiene
and cleaning measures
• Clubs and facility operators may open toilets for public use if they follow the guidelines – see above
READ
Scottish Government Coronavirus (Covid-19): tourism and hospitality sector guidance
Scottish Government Coronavirus (Covid-19): safer businesses and workplaces
MEETING ROOMS
• Although gym facilities can operation normally, we would ask you to consider whether meetings and training
can be completed online or via telephone.
• If it is essential to hold meetings and training in person, you must follow safer businesses and workplaces
guidance (above) and complete a risk assessment
RETAIL & HOSPITALITY
Clubhouses and sports facilities providing catering and bar services should refer to Scottish Government guidance
above.
Retail units operated by clubs and facility operators should follow Scottish Government guidance above.
HYGIENE READ sportscotland keeping your facilities fit for sport
HEALTH & SAFETY
Operators should continue to follow Scottish Government guidance on health, safety and hygiene measures including
face covering advice. Their message is: Protecting all of us, takes all of us.
Cleaning of equipment, hand and respiratory hygiene are core measures to be implemented and provision should be
made for these.
High levels of personal hygiene and respiratory etiquette remain essential beyond level 0.
FACE COVERINGS
READ
NEW Scottish Government Covid-19 face coverings and masks information on face covering exemptions
Scottish Government Covid-19 tourism and hospitality sector information if applicable
Your club should ensure participants and visitors wear face coverings indoors, before and after activity or when in non-
playing areas of the facility. For example: reception, locker rooms and storage areas.
This is required by law except where an exemption applies, or where there is a ‘reasonable excuse’ not to wear a face
covering. For example, if someone has a health condition or is disabled, including hidden disabilities such as autism,
dementia, or a learning disability.
A face covering must be worn by all coaches when indoors, except where an exemption applies (see below). The priority
is to ensure the safety of the coach and participants and minimising the risk of virus transmission. This should be
considered as part of your risk assessment.
Be aware that face coverings discriminate against some deaf people who need to look at lips to help communicate. Staff
in facilities should be made aware that it is okay to remove their face coverings to communicate with someone who
relies on lip reading and facial expressions.
Children under 12 years of age are not required to wear a face covering. Face coverings and masks (above) has guidance
on general use and further exemptions.
Face coverings may not be required when seated in café areas – see hospitality guidance above
TEST AND PROTECT
READ Scottish Government: Test & Protect
Contact tracing and testing of close contacts continues beyond level 0. Test and Protect is Scotland’s way of putting
into practice NHS Scotland’s test, trace, isolate and support strategy. Containing outbreaks early is crucial to reduce theDETAILED CLUB GUIDANCE
spread of Covid-19, protect the NHS and save lives, and avoid the reintroduction of social and economic lockdown. This
will support the country to return to, and maintain, a more normal way of life.
People who are symptomatic or identified as close contacts should follow Scottish Government and NHS guidance on
self-isolation available at Scottish Government: Test & Protect.
Maintaining customer records
You should
• where possible collect the name, contact number, date of visit, time of arrival, and the departure time of all
those attending facilities or activities. Where attending as a small household group, the contact details for
one member – a ‘lead member’ – will be sufficient.
• store information for 21 days and share it when requested to do so by public health officers.
HYGIENE
HEALTH & SAFETY Registration with the Information Commissioner's Office
Continued
Clubs may need to register with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) to gather and store customer information
securely. This is the case if you are using an electronic system to gather and store data.
If you are unsure whether you need to register, please contact the ICO via their helpline on 0303 123 1113 or visit
ico.org.uk.
Protect Scotland App
NHS Scotland has a free mobile app to help with contact tracing which alerts users if they have been in close contact
with another app user who tests positive for coronavirus.
The app is supported by a dedicated Protect Scotland website where you can find out more about the app and contact
tracing.
What should someone do if they have coronavirus symptoms?
READ Scottish Gymnastics: Covid-19 in your club
The steps you should follow are outlined in the document above. This is current from 05 January and could change at
short notice. Please follow Scottish Government: Test & Protect.
No one who is self-isolating should attend a sports facility or activity.
Further information is available at NHS inform: Get a Test or by calling 0800 028 2816 if you cannot get online.
FIRST AID
Ensure access to first aid and emergency equipment is maintained.
Ensure that first aid equipment has been updated appropriately for the Covid-19 pandemic and first aiders have
appropriate training.
If first aid treatment is required, we recognise a suitably qualified person, coach or supervising adult may need to
attend to the injured participant. The Covid officer should consider processes for managing this as part of their risk
assessment. This could include but not be limited to:
• provision of suitable PPE
• training of coaches/supervising adults
• presence of one parent/carer being required at the activity for children/vulnerable adults.
TRAVEL
Travel guidance outlined by the Scottish Government should always be followed. Further information on what travel is
permitted is available at Coronavirus (Covid-19): guidance on travel and transport.
You should avoid car sharing with anyone from another household unless you deem it to be necessary. If individuals or
groups do car share then they should follow Transport Scotland: advice on how to travel safely and put in place
appropriate risk assessment and mitigations.
COACHES AND READ sportscotland getting your coaches ready for sport
CLASSES REMINDER Scottish Gymnastics Covid-19 coach contact guidance for clubs and coaches
Coronavirus (Covid-19): guidance on travel and transport.
Your club must ensureDETAILED CLUB GUIDANCE
• relevant workplace guidance is followed for contractors and staff and ensure existing health and safety advice
is maintained and aligned. This should be detailed in the risk assessment.
• you follow the guidance on use of staff and including those on job support scheme.
The priority should be on ensuring the safety of the coach and participants and minimising the risk of virus transmission
before, during and after activity.
Coaches must wear face coverings indoors, except where an exemption applies (see hygiene, health & safety section)
Participants should not congregate before or after an activity. Operators should ensure comprehensive mitigating
actions are put in place and documented in their risk assessment to stop this happening. Consider staggering
start/arrival times and any other relevant additional measures.
There are no restrictions on the number of people a coach can instruct per day. Coaching ratios for gymnastics activity
must remain in line with standard Scottish Gymnastics gymnast to coach ratio guidance.
COACHES AND
CLASSES Only coaches Level 2 and above, are eligible to lead the sessions and should be qualified to the level of skills being
delivered.
Continued
At all times, coaches should:
• plan and risk assess appropriately for the session in advance, be aware of responsibilities, be clear on
expectations with participants and build in a review period to reflect on effectiveness and safety of the
session.
• ensure signage on guidelines for participating safely and promoting hygiene measures are clearly displayed
and up to date.
• find out about their direct and surrounding delivery environment in advance of the session and contact the
facility operator, where relevant, to confirm any changes in processes and procedure.
• consider the needs of participants returning after recovering from Covid-19. Participants should be able to
confidentially disclose this, in a similar way to any other personal matter relevant to coached activity, so the
coach can make suitable adjustments and allowances to the planned activity for the individual and check that
input from a medical professional has been sought where appropriate. Follow the Covid-19 Return to training
principles
• For any gymnast receiving their Covid-19 vaccine (both first and second dose), coaches should adapt training
for gymnasts in the 24-48 hours after they receive their vaccine by following the training after vaccination
guidance
COMPETITIONS & EVENTS READ
sportscotland return to competition & events: sport events
Scottish Government Covid-19 guidance on Safer Businesses and Workplaces
Scottish Government Covid-19: certification scheme - information for businesses and event organisers
Organised sport competition can take place if you follow the Scottish Government guidance and subject to appropriate
risk assessment by the Covid officer.
From 26 December, for a period of three weeks, large scale spectator and participation events can go ahead if 1m
physical distancing measures are put in place and attendances limited to:
Indoors - 100 standing, 200 seated
Outdoors - 500 standing, and 500 seated
Scottish Gymnastics do not plan to host any events that fall within this time period, and therefore our guidance has not
changed. We have provided an update to clubs due to participate in competition in January.
The maximum number of participants allowed to take part in a sport competition should be no more than risk assessed
maximum numbers following Scottish Government guidance for safer businesses and workplaces (above).
Spectators are permitted
• where supervising a child and/or vulnerable person
• where a competition or event is organised and takes place at premises whose entrances and exits are
controlled (indoors and outdoors) for the purpose of crowd and capacity management in line with Scottish
Government events sector guidance.
Following the three week period outlined above, Scotland will return to 'Beyond Level 0’ , where there are no limits on
spectator numbers, subject to organisers obtaining relevant permissions. However, organisers should follow the
Scottish Government’s certification scheme information (above) where attendance thresholds are met. A Covid vaccine
certificate or a record of a recent negative Covid-19 test result from either a lateral flow device or PCR is needed for
indoor events (unseated) with 500 or more people.
Organisers should obtain an event permit from Scottish Gymnastics if event is open to other clubs as normal.DETAILED CLUB GUIDANCE DISCLAIMER Neither sportscotland, Scottish Gymnastics nor any contributor to the content of this guidance, shall be responsible for any loss or damage of any kind, which may arise from your use of or reliance on this guidance note. Care has been taken over the accuracy of the content of this note but sportscotland cannot guarantee that the information is up to date or reflects all relevant legal requirements. We recommend that you obtain professional specialist technical and legal advice before taking, or refraining from, any action based on information contained in this note.
You can also read
