Athletics Ireland Covid-19 Update October 22nd 2021
Sport Ireland / Athletics Ireland Covid-19 Update October 22nd 2021
Athletics Ireland Release
Covid-19 Update October 22nd 2021
Dear Athletics Ireland Stakeholder,
In line with Government public health advice, the further easing of restrictions planned for the 22nd of October can proceed with the extension of some non-pharmaceutical interventions including use of COVID-19 pass (as set out below) in light of the high level of disease in the community at this point in time and the uncertain trajectory of the disease
Athletics Ireland thanks our members and stakeholders for their compliance with all Government advice and promotes the continued best practice protective measures seen below
For any specific athletics Covid19 questions please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Sports Ireland's Return to Sport Guidance (PDF file)
Excerpts from Sport Ireland Guidance Document
It is envisaged that these measures will remain in place until approximately February 2022
Sporting Organisations should continue to implement strong protocols with regard to training, competition and other sporting activities. These will include:
• The collection of contact tracing data
• The use of COVID 19 Officers
• Recommending symptomatic individuals do not participate in or attend sporting activities
• The ongoing promotion of good respiratory & hand hygiene
• The wearing of face coverings in relevant settings
• Ensuring that indoor spaces are well ventilated
• Consideration of indoor space densities and duration of indoor activities
Monitoring, oversight and compliance activities should continue to be reinforced by Sporting Organisations. Up to date and active Communication on existing measures will also assist with the ongoing promotion of public health measures at a local level
In addition to the protective measures outlined above the Return to Sport Expert Group strongly recommends that all eligible individuals consider vaccination as a matter of priority. This will maximise availability of indoor sporting opportunities and the number of participants
Summary of the Measures that will come into place from October 22nd
Transport To and From Activities & Events
Showers / Changing Rooms / Sports Clubhouse Gyms
Indoor Meetings & Educational / Coaching Courses
Substantial Distance amongst Pods
Outdoor Sport
• Outdoor group activities should continue to implement the relevant protective measures as outlined above
• Proof of vaccination or recovery will no longer apply for spectators attending outdoor events
• Fixed capacity limits will no longer apply for spectators or participants at outdoor events
Indoor Sport
• The use of the EU Digital COVID Certificate (vaccine or recovery certificate) will be required for accessing indoor sporting activities and events
• Where individuals have mixed immunity status, pods of up to 6 participants will be permitted (excluding adult coaches /instructors)
• Multiple pods will be permissible subject to protective measures
• The overall number of pods will have regard to the size of venue and there should be substantial social distance between individual pods
• For Vaccinated individuals no fixed capacity limits apply to these activities
• Vaccinated spectators attending indoor sporting events should be fully seated
Transport To and From Activities & Events
Sporting Organisations organising transport to/from events should implement protective measures such as mask wearing etc. as appropriate
Private transport (carpooling) carrying those not yet vaccinated or of mixed immunity should be aware of the higher risk. The use of appropriate face coverings is recommended. If carpooling consider use of a pod system in which the same participants pool together for all activities
Showers / Changing Rooms / Sports Clubhouse Gyms
Where all individuals are vaccinated the full use of showers and changing rooms is permitted
Where individuals have mixed immunity status the use of these facilities should be pod based
The type of protective measures implemented will be determined by the type of facility users ( i.e. vaccinated / mixed immunity). Sample protective measures may include:
• Limit overall duration of individuals in a changing room for example implement a 15 minute window / 5 minute shower rule etc
• Implement adequate social distancing measures in changing areas for example the use of every second changing space/lockers/shower head etc
• Recommend the wearing of masks in shared areas (showers an exception)
• Provide clear signage highlighting any relevant space capacities and time durations
• Close off any unnecessary spaces or those not in use/not permitted
• Monitor toilets with agreed capacity numbers and limit to participants/patrons only
• Implement flow management systems where necessary
• To improve ventilation consider an open window / open door policy (subject to privacy)
• Provide sanitisation stations as appropriate on entrances and in shared areas
• Continue to promote hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette through signage, posters etc
• Ensure deep cleaning of shared areas on a regular basis
In relation to Gyms and Training Facilities within sports clubs, these may operate in line with the broader permissions for indoor facilities, i.e. the use of pods of 6 for mixed immunity participants or no fixed limit for participants with proof of immunity. Appropriate protective measures and COVID protocols should be in place
Indoor Meetings & Educational / Coaching Courses
Sports may wish to continue to conduct Meetings & Educational / Coaching Courses remotely or outdoors.
Coaching or Educational programmes that contain a practical element should be delivered in line with other sporting measures permitted i.e. the use of pods of 6 for mixed immunity participants. Appropriate protective measures and COVID protocols should be in place
Ongoing consideration to Room densities, meeting durations and ventilation should continue throughout the Winter months
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Health Questionnaires
In line with a move towards personal judgement and responsibility sports may wish to begin to unwind the ongoing use of health questionnaires for training and events from October 22nd. The promotion of the Governments COVID TRACKER APP and the ongoing recommendation that symptomatic individuals do not attend sporting activities or events until 48hrs symptom free should continue
Substantial Distance amongst Pods
Indoor activities made up of Mixed Immunity Participants should continue in pods of up to 6. Multiple pods will be permissible and should take into account the overall size of the venue. Substantial social distancing between individual pods should be implemented. The levels of ‘substantial distance’ will differ depending on the nature and intensity of the activity
To any independent onlooker it should be clear that the pods are completely separate groups operating independent of one another with no interaction or sharing of equipment and there is no opportunity for them to mix or stray into one another’s group or playing space
In addition it is not recommended that Coaches/instructors participate in multiple pods. A single Coach/Instructor may however coach/instruct/oversee/ supervise more than one pod. This Coach/Instructor should ensure that they are not directly engaging with or in close proximity to any individual members of the pod. To any independent onlooker it should be clear that the Coach/Instructor is completely separate to the groups he/she is overseeing
Sharing of Equipment
Sport, particularly competitive team sport, will require a certain degree of equipment sharing. Where this can be reduced or limited for example in individual sport or in training activities, it may help decrease overall risk. Where there is any sharing of equipment, appropriate sanitisation practices should remain in place
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Use of masks
The use of masks in indoor settings, particularly for those not participating in activity, continues to be recommended
Ventilation
Ventilation will remain a core component of the COVID-19 response. The HSA has published a new COVID-19 Work Safely Protocol employer checklist on ventilation. Further expanded details on ventilation can be found in the Appendixes
