Yesterday, the First Minister updated Scottish Parliament yesterday on the review of the route map through and out of the pandemic. She noted that while Scotland had successfully suppressed the virus in the summer, confirmed positive case numbers have recently risen. As a result, the criteria have not been met to progress to Phase 4 of the route map. She also noted that the Scottish Government’s assessment is that we are now reaching or have reached the limit of what can be safely open up. An updated route map is available at Coronavirus (COVID-19) Phase 3: Scotland's route map update – 10 September 2020.
In terms of sport, the headline is that due to the actions taken by governing bodies, sports clubs and individuals to contain the virus, outdoor sport and indoor non-contact sport (i.e. all forms of shooting) is exempt from the announced tightening of restrictions around social gatherings. This therefore means that the guidance previously published by STS shall remain in place and is still the guidance to follow.
However, due to the rise in cases, it was confirmed that there will be a delay in the indicative date at which further steps might be taken to ease restrictions. This indicative date had been 14 September but in view of the current increase in cases, this has been moved back to Monday 5 October 2020. This new date remains indicative and falls after the next formal review point on Thursday 1 October.
The reason for sport getting these privileges is due to the efforts made by those in the sector so STS would like to congratulate clubs for the efforts you have gone to, we know these have not been easy. To ensure we continue to do all we can to suppress the virus in shooting and benefit from the privileges attributed to the wider sporting sector, there are two areas STS would strongly recommend and endorse to clubs and your members:
Protect Scotland app - The Protect Scotland App from NHS Scotland’s Test and Protect is a free, mobile phone App (available from the Apple Store and Google Play) designed to help reduce the spread of coronavirus and avoid further lockdowns. The App will alert you if you have been in close contact with another App user who tests positive for coronavirus. Additionally, if you test positive, it can help in determining contacts that you may have otherwise missed while keeping your information private and anonymous. With infections starting to rise again, it is important that you download and use the Protect Scotland App to help stop the spread of coronavirus. More information can be found at: https://protect.scot/
COVID-19 Officer e-learning Module - sportscotland has developed an e-learning module to provide COVID Officers with key information and guidance to support clubs to return safely to the delivery of sport and physical activity. If your club is looking to re-open it is important that each club has at least one COVID Officer and that each officer takes this training to help understand the role and the areas to look out for. Sports across Scotland are signposting this to their clubs and it is important that shooting clubs are actively involved in this free and valuable training. The module should take less than an hour to complete and can be found at: https://rise.articulate.com/share/LlEWUj-o23H_4gC1AF002jdxdrCucQC0#/
Clearly there are still challenges for sport and we are not blind to these but the exception made around sporting activity is welcome, especially in view of plans many clubs have made to re-start activity. STS hopes that this exemption means that shooting clubs that have already opened, can remain open, while those looking to open in the near future, can continue along the timelines already put in place.
As ever, if clubs or individuals need any support in clarifying or carrying out the guidance, our staff at STS will do all we can to help.