23/04/2021
We are pleased to share the updated version of Maintaining the safety of the public and staff on coastal beaches during COVID-19.
Following national lock downs across the UK, April 2021 saw Covid-19 restrictions begin to ease around the country which now gives more freedom for the public to access beaches and water sport activities. The revised document is designed to sit alongside and highlight home nation plans and advice.
We would like to thank the many organisations who shaped this update by way of review and survey input and to the drafting team and those who provided case studies.
The document can be viewed here.
Feedback is welcome via the contact us form.
Read More >
14/04/2021
The government’s Spring 2021 Roadmap is a four-step plan aiming to ease lockdown restrictions across England*.
On Monday April 12, England entered into the ‘Step 2’ of the country’s ‘roadmap’ out of COVID restrictions.
*Guidance for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
What the changes mean for water and leisure activities:
Outdoor club training resumed on March 29 alongside the reopening of open-air swimming pools and open water venues.
On April 12, indoor swimming pools and aqua parks reopened and indoor club activity for under 18’s was permitted again
If you are planning to put on event, please consider the following:
An event can take place at Step 2 if:
- All three of the following conditions are met:
a) The event takes place outdoors
b) Attendees are expected to arrive and leave the event in a staggered manner throughout the day
c) It does not involve attendees converging on and congregating in a site for a specific discrete performance or activity, such as a theatre or music performance, OR
- It is a drive-in performance or show.
Remember that all events organised should be managed with social distancing in mind.
As with Step 1b, spectators are not permitted to attend sporting events taking place on private land, other than adults needed to supervise under-18s that they have a responsibility for or providing care or assistance to a person with disabilities participating in an organised sporting event or activity.
They should maintain social distance and not mix with other households. This does not prevent people from viewing recreational or organised sport that is taking place in a public space, e.g. a park, at Step 1b or Step 2, in groups of up to 6 people or 2 households. However, sporting events that are intended to attract spectators (including ticketed events), or events that are likely to attract a significant number of spectators (e.g. a major marathon) should not take place in a public space, or on private land, until Step 3.
Organised events guidance for local authorities in England has been published by the Government and is available to view on our Covid-19 advice page.
The advice is subject to change and the National Water Safety Forum will keep members updated.
Read More >
