Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update – 13 May
Following additional clarification from the UK Government on the use of shared facilities and equipment, British Rowing has updated its guidance regarding our affiliated clubs.
Given further clarification of the UK Government’s advice, we advise that Affiliated Clubs may, if they wish/are able to, allow members to use club/shared boats (in addition to private boats) from their facilities subject to:
- having a club plan in place to support safe access to and use of equipment (e.g. boats/blades). This must follow all relevant Government guidance including hygiene and social distancing; and,
- continuing to follow all relevant UK Government and/or waterway authority restrictions.
British Rowing is pleased that restrictions are starting to be lifted to allow people back on the water but we believe all rowers and clubs must act in both the spirit and to the letter of the Government guidance to protect the health of the rowing community, other rivers users and the wider public.
It’s important to remember that this is not at all a return to normal operations or club activities – only the absolute minimum necessary areas of clubs should be opened and only to facilitate access to boats and equipment. At this stage, we advise that gyms, bars and other facilities remain closed with no organised club activities or gatherings. Clubs will need to put in place plans to reduce the risk of transmission of coronavirus through the use of any areas of the club or shared equipment. Every club will have slightly different considerations, however, we have listed below some suggested areas to think about.
British Rowing has been working on further guidance on the wider impacts of coronavirus on clubs. This will be published as more information becomes available from the UK Government and other sources.
Please note that this advice relates to rowing in England. We continue to work closely with our colleagues from Scottish and Welsh Rowing to share good practice, however, the restrictions on the public now vary between England, Scotland and Wales. Latest advice for Scotland and Wales are available at the links below:
We appreciate that many of you will be eager to get back on the water but we would ask you to be patient with your club and provide time for them to put in place the right measures to keep you and the rest of your club safe as well as your local community. Please bear in mind that planning and implementing these measures for safe access to the club may take time and your club’s volunteers may have other priorities. Please wait for your club to let you know the specific arrangements they have in place.
Considerations for clubs
There are a number of areas that clubs may want to consider when developing their plans for allowing access to their facilities. The UK Government has published ‘Guidance for the public on the phased return of outdoor sport and recreation‘.
The UK Government has also published guidance for making many different types of business ‘COVID-19 Secure’. Whilst sports clubs are not one of these categories, advice from different categories may be relevant to different clubs.
All activity at the club needs to fall within the club’s safety plan and British Rowing’s RowSafe guidance. Our previously published safety alert ‘Is it safe to go afloat alone?’ may also be of assistance in carrying out your risk assessment.
Some clubs may also need to coordinate with other clubs operating from the same premises and/or facility owners to agree protocols.
