Update for Clubs – Added 19/08/2020

August 21, 2020

We understand that many of you will be concerned following the announcement of new restrictions by the Irish Government last evening. We have received guidance as detailed below from Sport Ireland and we can confirm that Ireland Active have also contacted leisure facilities to provide guidance and reassurance.

In brief, the underlying message is that sport is still to continue, and it provides that you can continue with your activities ensuring that you are strictly adhering to the public health measures, as per the detailed guidance and protocols that we have already issued.

This continues to be an evolving situation; we will keep you up to date as we receive more clarity.

Updated Public Health Measures – Sport & Physical Activity (18th August-13th September 2020)

  • Gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools can remain open with strict distancing and other appropriate protective measures in place.
  • Gatherings, including social gatherings, before or after training must be avoided. Participants should practice 2 metre physical distancing before and after training, and during breaks.
  • Exercise classes (i.e. dry land training) can continue provided that athletes are working in pods of 6 only and that appropriate social distancing can be adhered to between the pods. Those pods should not be mixing after the training.
  • Groups training outdoors should be limited to 15 people, including training sessions. There should be no mixing between groups.
  • In relation to Open water events that have been planned these can proceed provided that all is in line with previous protocols issued with strict measures in place and no organised spectators.
  • We would ask people to consider refraining from car-pooling for the meantime if at all possible.
  • We’re aware that clubs will have done a lot of work in preparing risk assessments and we would ask you to take a little time to review it again to ensure everything is being done in terms of supporting the public health measures at this crucial time. The assessment should consider the risk factors for getting COVID-19, that is Distance, Activity, Time and Environment, and include controls such as managed entry, improved hygiene facilities, and regular cleaning to limit these (we understand that not all of these are within your direct control).
  • The previous restrictions announced for Kildare, Laois and Offaly continue to remain in place.

 

Our clubs have shown great resilience and adaptability over the last 6 months, thank you for the support that you have provided to your club during this time. If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact your club support officer – contact details are below.

Framework Update – Added 21/08/2020

August 21, 2020

We have received further detail on the practical implications of the guidelines on sporting organisations from Sport Ireland, and we can confirm that Ireland Active have also contacted leisure facilities to provide guidance and reassurance.

We can confirm that:

• The total Indoor Facility/Pool use can remain at the previous maximum levels of 50, once there is sufficient space available. In addition, facilities should be extra vigilant of potential congestion points such as entrance/exit points, changing rooms and reception areas ensuring that social distancing and other public health measures are maintained at all times.

• Swimming and indoor water-based activities can do so in pods/lanes of 6 once sufficient space is available and strict public health protocols are in place. Facilities should set a maximum lane capacity of 6 swimmers per lane in a 25m and a 50m pool. For pools shorter than 25m in length, facilities should ensure that they have undertaken a robust risk assessment to inform them as to their maximum capacity per lane. These swimmers then become a ‘pod’ for the duration of their session and are expected to, where possible, always maintain physical distancing.

• Where it is not possible to manage the pool in a lane format, facilities should encourage physical distancing between swimmers.

• Facilities and Lesson Providers should complete a risk assessment, specific to each activity, before reopening to manage the public health risk for their customers, attendees, participants, and staff.

• Risk assessments should consider the risk factors for getting COVID-19 – that of distance, activity, time and environment. Pool Operators and Lesson Providers should include controls such as managed entry and exit, participant direction of travel, improved hygiene facilities, and regular cleaning to limit the risk factors.

For further details on Swimming Lessons, and Instructor Led Aquatic Activity, please see our Updated Framework for Pool Operators, Swimming Lessons Providers and Instructor Led Activity (ROI ONLY).

Club Support Officers

August 21, 2020

Leinster clubs – Aisling McKeever – [email protected]

Water Polo clubs – Sarah Kelly – [email protected]

Connacht clubs– Vincent Finn – [email protected]

Munster clubs – Damien Fitzpatrick – [email protected]

Ulster Clubs – Ruth McQuillan – [email protected]