Reopening Athletics - Snake Hit - State of Play August 18th 2020

ReOpening Setback

state of play august 2nd 2020 Roller Coaster - Snakes & Ladders

Editorial - The contents of this editorial do not necessarily reflect the views of Cork Athletics County Board

In the game of Snakes and Ladders, we've hit a snake, and have slid back down the board. Following the upsurge in Covid-19 cases, with rising community transmission, this evening, the Government announced new restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of coronavirus. These restrictions will apply until at least Sunday September 13th.

While the effects on the upcoming Athletics Ireland National Senior T&F Championships are still unclear - Athletics Ireland has stated "We will update you all on the implications of tonight’s government announcement to our Championships ASAP" - The position with training and road races is pretty clear-cut: Training groups are limited to 15 persons max, while road races must, along with all sporting events, be "held behind closed doors".

Athletics Ireland Update - 10am, Tuesday Aug 18th

"Our National Senior and U23 Track and Field Championships will proceed as planned behind closed doors. We will release further details regarding the schedule later today. All four days will be live streamed.

Thank you for your understanding and patience."

Sport Ireland Update - Wednesday August 19th

Sport facilities can remain open.

Sporting events and matches can continue to take place behind closed doors.

Gatherings, including social gatherings, before or after events must be avoided. Participants should practice 2 metre physical distancing before and after events, during breaks in play, on the sidelines and team huddles should be avoided.

Gyms/leisure centres/swimming pools/exercise and dance studios can remain open with strict distancing and other appropriate protective measures in place.

Exercise and dance classes should be limited to 6 people and observe physical distancing rules.

Groups exercising outdoors should be limited to 15 people, including training sessions. There should be no mixing between groups.

It is recommended that those responsible for managing these facilities should have completed a risk assessment before reopening to manage the public health risk for their customers, attendees, participants, and staff.

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.

Facilities should observe physical distancing guidelines and apply the public health checklist to their operation.

Guidance on mass gatherings should also be followed.

Facilities reopening with a return of staff should apply the Return to Work Safely Protocol. This has been designed to support employers and workers to put measures in place that will prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace."

Key Points Relating to Sport are:

Measures are effective immediately, and will remain in place until September 13th, at the earliest.

Indoor events are limited to six people, down from 50.

All outdoor events and gatherings are limited to 15 people, down from 200.

All sporting events and fixtures must take place behind closed doors.

There is a requiremant of strict avoidance of social gatherings both before and after matches/events.

Training sessions are restricted to six people indoors, or 15 outdoors
Children's summer camps may continue, but must be confined to the same group of 15 children.
Gyms may remain open, however a maximum of six people will be allowed in a class at any one time.
Gardaí are to be given new powers to enforce Covid-19 related rules relating to social gatherings.

Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn said even when people meet up outdoors they should maintain physical distance. "We are not powerless against this disease, we can alter its course, but to do so we must act together now"

Summary

Club sessions may take place, but are limited to 15 persons in a 'pod', as per previous Phase.

T&F Meets: Unclear - awaiting AAI guidance, being behind closed doors, meets, particularly Championships may be allowed.

Road Races: Gone - All Sporting events must take place behind closed doors.

Athletics Camps: Limited to groups of 15

Editorial

This is a disappointing, but not unexpected development. For the past 10 days or so, case numbers, and transmission rates have been rising, leading to much media speculation that it might be necessary to step back. Sadly this has come to pass, just at a time when Athletics Ireland registered clubs and events were taking their first steps back towards 'normality', with several road races and T&F meets taking place around the country and here in Cork. Sadly this is gone for now.

From early on, it was evident that the pandemic strategy was never going to be a quick lockdown, reopen and everyone then continueing as 'normal'. We need to play 'the long game'. The short to medium priority needs to be on protecting each other, and protecting the sport. For now, we must reset again, and hope that everyone abiding by the measures announced by the Government today will lead to the curvebeing flattened again, and relaxation of the measures from September 16th.

#Stay Safe Everyone!

Reminder of Synopsis of AAI Guidelines - Posted June 24th