Covid 19 - Athletics Ireland Statement re Phase 2 - June 5th 2020
Athletics Ireland COVID-19 Statement re ReOpening - Phase 2 - Friday June 5th 2020
To All Athletics Ireland Stakeholders
Athletics Ireland is delighted to share the Phase 2 guidance protocols with you as we exit lockdown. The good news announced by our Taoiseach this afternoon includes an increase in the size of outdoor training groups to fifteen (15) and an extension to the distance we can travel to train. People can travel within their own County, or up to 20km from their home, whichever is further.
Guidance for Clubs (PDF File) - Content
Guidance for Athletes (PDF File) - Content
Guidance for Coaches (PDF File) - Content
Note these protocols do not commence until this Monday the 8th June 2020.
Sport Ireland Statement re Return to Training for High Performance Athletes
Please, please abide by the spirit of the HSE guidelines.
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Covid 19 - Athletics Ireland Statement - June 2nd 2020
Covid 19 - Serious Training Issues
Re-Starting Clubs - Covid-19 Update May 9th 2020
Covid 19 and Long Runs or Long Periods in Public
Update - Athletics Ireland Events and Covid 19 Coronavirus - March 24th
Update - Athletics Ireland Events and Covid 19 Coronavirus - March 12th
Athletics Ireland Events and Covid 19 Coronavirus - March 7th
Practical Guide for Clubs Returning to Athletics following the Covid-19 Restrictions during Phase 2 ofthe Roadmap for ReOpening Society
Always follow the Government Guidelines of
Good Hand Hygiene - Respiratory Etiquette - Social Distancing
The guidelines in this document relate to Phase 2 of the Irish Government's Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business.
Key Notes for this phase:
1. Permits sporting activity in open outdoor public sports amenities where social distancing can be maintained.
2. Permits people to engage in outdoor sporting and fitness activities, either individually or in a group (maximum 15 people), where social distancing can be maintained and where there is no contact.
3. Permits those individuals travel within their own county, or up to 20 km from their home, whichever is greater.
4. If you feel unwell do not present to the club.
5. If you are recovering from Covidl9 seek medical advice prior to returning to train.
6. If running in single file increase the distance between athletes to more than 2m.
1. Safety Officer
Clubs MUST appoint an assigned Safety Officer responsible for managing issues and queries relating to the Covid-19 pandemic.
This Officer should:
- Ensure indoor facilities are not utilized during this phase of reopening.
- Plan the club return to operation with the club committee.
- Should check with their insurers if any amendments to their policies are required to cover Covid-19 issues.
- Ensure they review these protocols and that the club can comply before reopening their club.
- Ensure that the club and its members adhere to HSE / Public Health advice in all cases.
- Ensure that sufficient HSE Covid-19 information Posters are in place.
- Operate a booking system for all training. This will help with contact tracing if necessary. Ensure athletes understand the need for social distancing while entering and exiting the club.
- Ensure that the club maintains accurate records of who is training and when. This should include all persons and not just the one making the booking. This must be carried out for all sessions, and in the case that a parent/guardian is present in the club that must also be recorded. This will help with contact tracing if necessary.
- Be responsible for informing all members of the Covid-19 guidelines and insist on full cooperation.
- Ensure that the contact details for all members are up to date as this will assist with contact tracing should it be necessary.
- Listen to feedback and contact Athletics Ireland if there are issues not covered under these protocols.
- Ensure all athletes and coaches carry hand sanitizer and antiseptic wipes at all times.
2. Club Access
In the initial period following a club's reopening, access to the clubhouse should be limited to committee members only and only for emergency access by athletes.
- Club facilities should only be accessed by members.
- Children under 13 years should not attend the club during phase 2.
- To access the club property in this phase of the reopening, an athlete should:
- Be a current member & a minimum of 13 years of age.
- A parent/guardian should accompany any athlete under 18 years.
- Not have been out of the country in the last 14 days.
- Not have been around someone with symptoms of Covid-19 in the last 14 days
- Not be in a period of self-isolation and/or cocooning under the current Health Policy Rules.
- Not be displaying COVID-19 symptoms.
- Live within a 20k radius of the club or live in the same County.
- Have a pre-reserved training time.
- Be under 70 years of Age.
3. Booking and Arrival
- Booking a time in advance is required, preferably via the FREE AAI Club booking system, website, app, or phone. This will assist should contact tracing be required subsequently.
- All athletes should ensure their club has their up-to-date contact details (phone and email).
- All athletes, and not just the athlete making the booking, should be included in the booking notes. If there is a change to who is training, it is advisable to make sure the booking is updated.
- Athletes should travel to the club alone, or only with a member of the same household.
- Ample car parking spaces should be available to ensure social distancing. If athletes must park next to another car, they should wait for the other person to exit or enter before doing so themselves.
- Athletes should arrive at the club entrance no more than 10 minutes prior to training time. It is important that athletes maintain social distancing and wait in a pre-designated waiting area that allows for social distancing.
- Athletes should observe social distancing at all times and resist the temptation to mingle.
- Athletes should arrive in training kit and change footwear at the car or at home.
- Athletes should sanitize their hands prior to attending the club.
- Athletes should ensure that they utilize toilet facilities in their own home prior to arriving at the club as club toilets will not be accessible.
4. Check-in Protocol
Two-metre queue markers should be in place at any single-entry point.
5. Clubhouse Facilities
- Clubhouse access for members should only be in emergencies.
- Toilets should not be opened in this phase.
- Changing rooms, function rooms and where relevant, the club bar will remain closed during this Phase of reopening.
- Athletes must provide their own equipment where possible.
6. Track/Field
- Training groups should be controlled and managed to ensure social distancing is maintained at all times. More than one group can train onsite with appropriate social distancing e.g. long jump group and track group.
- Athletes should enter the area one at a time as and when directed.
- Entrances / Gates to clubs should remain open, if safe to do so, perhaps tied back to prevent use of handles.
- Rubbish bins should be removed, and all items should be taken home afterwards.
- Any athletes(s) repeatedly not following the club directives should be asked to leave the club.
- There should be no spectators present during this phase of reopening.
- Parents supervising children should be limited to one and maintain ample distance from the training activity if staying on site.
7. Running/Jumping/Throwing
- Physical distancing should be observed throughout the period of training.
- Athletes must refrain from handshakes and high fives.
- Equipment such as towels, food, and drink must not be exchanged between athletes.
- Athletes should avoid touching their face after handling equipment.
- Athletes should bring a small bottle of hand sanitizer and antiseptic wipes to keep with them at all times. This is to prevent the virus spreading if present.
- Athletes must remain apart from other athletes when taking a break.
8. On the Track/Field - Coaching
- Coaches should prepare and present a Risk Assessment document and get approval to coach from the Club Safety Officer.
- Only coaching in a group of up to 15 people should take place during this phase of the reopening.
- Coaching sessions should be booked and recorded.
- Coaches must brief their athletes and/or their parents of the protocols that should be followed in advance of the session.
- Coaching must only be provided to club members or approved users.
- Coaches must ensure an athlete has registered their contact details with the club.
- Coaches should limit the use of equipment such as cones, hurdles etc.
- Do not let athletes manipulate the practice equipment. Coaches should take charge of picking up the equipment.
- Coaches to wear latex gloves if handling any equipment is required.
- Users of athletics tracks and similar facilities adhering to the basics of track etiquette and groups cooperating to avoid situations where social distancing could be compromised. This might include limiting the total number of people on the track at any one time and working together to organise how the space is used. For example, an endurance group using lanes 1-3 while a sprints group used 5-8.
For endurance sessions:
o Athletes running single file unless there is an empty space where they can leave greater than 2m between them.
o Athletes running with greater than 2m between themselves and the next runner. This might, for example, mean overtaking in lane 3 to pass an athlete running in lane one on a track.
o Athletes starting intervals in approximate order of ability with the fastest athlete starting first to minimize overtaking.
Getting Home Safely
- Once training has finished athletes must leave the premises promptly, sanitizing their hands on the way out.
- Clubs must make provision for thorough cleaning of all accessible areas and ensuring that all "touch areas" are cleaned thoroughly daily.
- If an athlete becomes unwell after training, they should first contact their GP and read the HSE guidelines and then inform their club. The club should contact the HSE and follow the advice provided to them on the next steps.
Advice for Athletes
Return to Restricted Training
Always follow the Government Guidelines of
Good Hand Hygiene - Respiratory Etiquette - Social Distancing
The guidelines in this document relate to Phase 2 of the Irish Government's Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business.
Key Notes for this Phase:
1. Permits sporting activity in open outdoor publicsportsamenitieswhere social distancing can be maintained
2. Permits people to engage in outdoor sporting and fitness activities, either individually or in a group (maximum 15 people), where social distancing can be maintained and where there is no contact
3. Permits those individuals travel within their own county, or up to 20 km from their home, whichever is greater
4. If you feel unwell do not present to the club
5. If you are recovering from Covidl9 seek medical advice prior to returning to train
6. If running in single file increase the distance between athletes to more than 2m
This practical guide, prepared by our team in consultation with international norms and medical experts, outlines the robust measures Athletics Ireland would like clubs to implement with coaches and athletes to maintain to help safe-guard members during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The measures, which relate to Phase 2 of the Roadmap for ReOpening Irish Society and Business, cover each step of the journey from home to the club gate and back home again.
These measures should be in place seven days a week and until further notice.
Our measures and proceduresare underconstant review and updated as advice from government, health authorities and governing bodies evolves in line with the gradual lifting of social restrictions.
Before You Train
You must stay at home if you:
Have been in contact with someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days
Have been overseas or exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days
Have flu-like symptoms or are feeling unwell
You must:
Check with your GP prior to playing if you are in a high-risk health category
Find out what protocols are in place at the club
Ensure your club has up-to-date contact details for you
Pre-book your training session on the AAI booking system, or via phone Arrive and leave as close as possible to when you are due at the club.
Only one parent/guardian should accompany younger athletes where possible.
Athletes should arrive ready to train as there will be no access to dressing rooms duringthis phase.
Athletes should ensure that they utilize toilet facilities in their own home prior to arriving at the club, as toilet facilities will not be available during thisphase.
Athletes should, ideally, bring a small bottle of hand sanitizer, and antiseptic wipes with them to train.
Attending Training
Pre-book your training session on the AAI booking system, or via phone
Arrive and leave as close as possible to when you are due at the club.
Only one parent/guardian should accompany younger athletes where possible.
Athletes should arrive ready to train as there will be no access to dressing rooms duringthis phase.
Athletes should ensure that they utilize toilet facilities in their own home prior to arriving at the club as toilet facilities will not be available during thisphase.
Athletes should, ideally, bring a small bottle of hand sanitizer and antiseptic wipes with them to train.
Social Distancing Behaviours
To protect against infection:
Athletes must refrain from handshakes and high fives
Keep 2 metres away from other people at all times
Do not share food, towels and drinks
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or hand-sanitizer, before and after eating, after going to the toilet, sneezing and coughing
Cover your coughs and sneezes and dispose of any used tissue in your own bag and bring it home with you
Avoid touching your face
Keep your distance from people who are obviously sick
Try not to touch any surfaces, but if you do sanitize your hands as soon as possible
• For endurance sessions:
Athletes running single file unless there is an empty space where they can leave greater than 2m between themselves.
Athletes running with greater than 2m between themselves and the next runner, including when overtaking. This might, for example, mean overtaking in lane 3 to pass an athlete running in lane one on a track, o Athletes starting intervals in approximate order of ability with the fastest athlete starting first to minimise overtaking.
Remain apart from other athletes when taking a break.
When Training Finishes
Once training has finished athletes should leave the club promptly
Hands should be washed and sanitized as soon as possible
Ensure equipment is cleaned thoroughly after use.
If an athlete becomes unwell after training, they should first contact their GP and read the HSE guidelines, and then inform their club. The club will then follow advice provided to them by the HSE on the next steps
Members should be encouraged to remind other members of the guidelines, in a gentle way, wh en th ey witn ess poor p racti ces. Repeated poor practice should be reported to the club as soon as possible
Equipment
Practice caution with the equipment. Sanitize all handheld implements prior to and after use e.g. shots, javelins, discus etc.
Although there is no specific evidence that equipment can spread COVID-19, we know that contamination from respiratory droplets froman infected person can potentially survive on hard surfaces for up to three days.
Clean equipment with a disinfectant spray at the conclusion of training.
Advice for Coaches
Return to Restricted Training
Always follow the Government Guidelines of
Good Hand Hygiene - Respiratory Etiquette - Social Distancing
The guidelines in this document relate to Phase 2 of the Irish Government's Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business.
Key Noes for this Phase:
1. Permits sporting activity in open outdoor public sports amenities where social distancing can be maintained
2. Permits people to engage in outdoor sporting and fitness activities, either individually or in a group (maximum 15 people), where social distancing can be maintained and where there is no contact
3. Permits those individuals travel within their own county, or up to 20 km from their home, whichever is greater
4. If you feel unwell do not present to the club
5. If you are recovering from Covid19 seek medical advice prior to returning to train
6. If running in single file increase the distance between athletes to more than 2m
This practical guide, prepared by our team in consultation with international norms and medical experts, outlines the robust measures Athletics Ireland would like clubs to implement with coaches and athletes tomaintain to help safeguard club members during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The measures, which relate to Phase 2 of the Roadmap for Reopening Irish Society and Business, cover each step of the journey from home to the club gate and back home again.
These measures should be in place seven days a week and until further notice.
Our measures and procedures are under constant review and updated as advice from government, health authorities and governing bodies evolves in line with the gradual lifting of social restrictions.
Before you Coach
Develop and prepare a risk assessment and consult with your club how lessons can be delivered safely
Ensure that you get permission from the club to carry out your session
You or your athlete(s) should stay at home if you or they:
Have been in contact with someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days
Have been overseas or exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days O Have flu-like symptoms
Are in a high-risk health category. Such athletes should consult with their GP prior to training Are over 70 years of age
Preparing for a Coaching Session
Sessions should only take place outdoors during this phase of the reopening.
Coaching should take place only where full physical distancing is possible.
Pre book your session at the club online via the AAI booking system or via phone and advise who will be in attendance.
Let your athlete know, preferably in writing, before the session how you expect them to act to help ensure a safe environment for themselves and others, and what precautions you have put in place. Advise parents in the case of younger athletes. Parents should be asked to reiterate the advice to their children pre-training.
Prior to the session inform your athlete that:
Only people core to you r session can be in attendance.
Athletes should arrive and leave as close as possible to when you need to be there.
Onlyoneparent/guardianshouldaccompany younger athletes where possible.
Athletes should arrive ready to train as changing room access will not be possible.
Athletes and coaches should wash their hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer when available, before and assoon as possibleafter the training session.
Athletes should carry a bottle of hand sanitizer and antiseptic wipes at all times.
During the Training Session
Limit the use of coaching equipment such as cones.
Don't let the athletes handle any coaching equipment if possible. The coach should pick up any equipment used eg cones.
Be aware of what surfaces you or your athlete(s) touch and if you touch the equipmentsuch as hurdles, cones, rakes etc. you must clean these before you leave. Coaches should haveaccesstodisposable disinfectant wipes at all times.
Maintain physical distancing at all times including when giving feed back and while athletes are resting.
When training finishes athletes must leave the club promptly.
If coaches witness poor practice it should be addressed immediately in a polite fashion and ongoing disregard for protocols should be reported to the club as soon as possible.
• For endurance sessions:
Athletes running single file unless there is an empty space where they can leave a distance of more than 2m between themselves. Athletes running with greater than 2m between them and themselves and the next runner, including when overtaking. This might, for example, mean overtaking in lane 3 to pass an athlete running in lane one on a track.
Athletes starting intervals in approximate order of ability with the fastest athlete starting first to minimise overtaking.
Equipment
Practice caution with all equipment and avoid letting the athletes touch unnecessarily.
Clean all equipment with a disinfectant spray prior to and after use.
Although there is no specific evidence that equipment can spread COVID-19, we know that contamination by respiratory droplets from an infected person can potentially survive on hard surfaces for up to three days.
Try to restrict equipment to a particular group.
Clean all equipment with a disinfectant spray at the conclusion of your session.
