KEY ANNOUNCEMENTS
06/08/21 –
On Tuesday 3 August the First Minister provided an update to the Scottish Parliament on pandemic-related restrictions. It was confirmed that the whole of Scotland will move beyond level 0 from Monday 9 August, although the First Minister stressed this did not mean a return to life exactly as it was pre-pandemic with a number of mitigating measures remaining.
Please find on your right, Appendix 2 ‘Beyond Level 0’ which has been added to the revised Return to Sport and Physical Activity guidance. This will shortly be published on our website; we will highlight all changes in yellow.
19/07/21 –
On 13th July 2021, the First Minister confirmed that all of Scotland will move to Level 0 on 19th July 2021 with a further update expected on 3rd August to confirm if Scotland will move ‘Beyond Level 0’ from 9th August.
Although restrictions are being eased the protection levels system will remain available should there be a change in circumstances moving forward and therefore the guidance provided within this document will remain in place for protection Levels 0-4.
Scottish Government are currently reviewing the baseline measures which are to be retained to mitigate ongoing risks of transmission ‘Beyond Level 0’. Additional Return to Sport & Physical Activity guidance covering ‘Beyond Level 0’ will be provided when this information is available.
22/04/21 – Following the First Ministers announcement on Tuesday, it has been confirmed that all parts of the country will move into level 3 on Monday 26 April and all Snowsport Centres and Facilities are able to re-open and the remaining travel restrictions within Scotland will be lifted and travel within the UK will be permitted for any purpose including travel for sport and physical activity.
15/04/21 –
The recent First Minister update provided an unexpected update on COVID-19 and related restrictions. The key elements of the announcement for sport are as follows:
- Friday 16 April
- Travel: From Friday, some travel restrictions will be relaxed to allow travel across Scotland for the purposes of meeting outdoors with friends and family. This will allow travel for informal physical activity, but not for organised sport. Travel restrictions for wider purposes – including organised sport, leisure, shopping, visiting hospitality premises or staying in tourist accommodation – will remain until 26 April, as originally planned, when all travel restrictions within Scotland will be lifted and the re-opening of snowsport facilities and centres.
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- Outdoor gatherings: Up to 6 adults from 6 households can meet outside. The exemption for groups of up to 15 adults taking part in organised outdoor sport remains i.e. those training in their local authority area on snow.
The accelerated easing of travel restrictions on Friday 16 April is aimed at improving the mental health of the nation by encouraging more people to see small groups of family and friends in an informal outdoor setting. Travel for organised sport will still be able to resume as originally planned on Monday 26 April. Please note this is consistent with Scottish Government’s phased approach to the easing of lockdown restrictions.
18/03/21 – Snowsport Scotland – Scottish Government Update
11/03/21 – We have now received confirmation from Scottish Government that the position outlined below (that snowsport centres are required to remain closed), has not changed following the First Minsters announcement on Tuesday.
As explained below, Scottish Government has made a commitment to inform snowsport centres of when they will be permitted to open at the First Minister’s briefing next Tuesday (15/3).
01/03/21 – As stated, Snowsport Scotland has been working with Scottish Government to see if it was possible for snowsport centres to open in mid-March, in line with the First Minister announcement on the 23/2. Regrettably this request has not been supported and as a result snowsport centres are required to remain closed. Scottish Government has made a commitment to inform snowsport centres of when they will be permitted to open at the First Minister’s briefing in mid-March.
04/01/21 – The FM provided a further update on ‘enhanced’ Level 4. The key message is stay at home as much as possible and travel no further than you need to reach to a safe, non-crowded place to exercise in a socially distanced way Coronavirus (COVID-19): stay at home guidance – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
The changes are ‘enhanced’ Level 4 rules. Some of the islands remain at Level 3 and will continue to follow that guidance. Mainland Scotland is at Level 4 and will now have to follow enhanced guidance including;
- Household rules now apply to all activity (no sports bubble at Level 4) i.e. 2 people from a maximum of 2 households only. Sport can continue but it will be for a maximum of 2 people playing together unless under 12 years as they do not count towards the total (so more can take part).
- Coaching will be restricted to 2 people (including the coach) for those 12 years or over. Under 12s do not count towards the number so a coach can take larger groups of u12s.
- Travel is restricted (as previously) but with ‘stay at home’ the key message and this will be put into law from midnight of the 4th . There are however exemptions for sport, exercise and recreation and participants can still travel up to 5 miles from the boundary of a LA to take part in informal exercise such as walking, running, golf or cycling as long they abide by the rules on meeting other households noted above e.g. 2 adults from maximum of 2 households.
- Performance/professional sport retains its exemptions at Level 4 although this is subject to local operators opening facilities based on their risk assessments.
- Indoor facilities are to remain closed at Level 4 (other than performance facilities as above).
21/12/20 – Further to the update provided by the First Minister on Saturday 19th Dec, all areas go into Tier 4 from midnight on 25th December, apart from the Western Isles Shetland and Orkney.
02/11/20 – Further to the update provided by the First Minister regarding the announcement of a 5-level system of ‘protections’ the Scottish Government has now completed its consultation process and debated the new framework within parliament. Snowsport Scotland have created a simple permitted snowsport activity table, to help clubs and members navigate the Tier system.
23/10/20 – First Minister announces new 5 tier COVID-19 protection level system that will apply to local authority areas from 2nd November. Further details will be agreed by Government during the week ending Fri 30th November and shared through sportscotland.
09/10/20 – Tighter regional restrictions were imposed today by the First Minister for a period of two weeks, starting from 9th October and running for 16 days (and 3 weekends) through to 26th October. These restrictions have an impact on permitted snowsports activity for selected groups – please see updated published guidance.
22/09/20 – Scotland’s First Minister announces tighter restrictions for social activity and hospitality, but these are confirmed as NOT YET impacting the already established separate guidelines for organised sport.
16/09/20 – Snowsport Scotland secures a key change to guidelines on ski school hire equipment allowing the previous mandatory 72hr resting period to now be reduced to 1hr provided a disinfectant approved to British standard EN14476 is applied after cleaning. This change to guidelines has now been approved by sportscotland. See latest published guidelines to right.
10/09/20 – First Minister announces that a limit of 6 persons now applies to all social gatherings inside and out BUT that this restriction does not apply to organised sport. This means that all guidelines listed in the adjacent table still apply for snowsports.
02/09/20 – Joint Statement from the Scottish Governing Bodies Forum
14/08/20 – Lowland Championships
SE and GBS made a decision at the beginning of July to not organise the Lowland championships as there wasn’t sufficient information from the facility on how they would manage 400+ athletes and spectators. It is also our understanding that in Holland the rules allow no more than 100 people in a gathering.
While we understand the enthusiasm to get back to competitions, we have a duty to make sure all activity we are linked with is done in a safe manner and to make our members aware of our position regarding this competition. To date we have seen no measures put in place to mitigate the risks of covid-19 for an event of this size. Therefore we need to inform our membership that we are not endorsing this race and have made this clear to the race organisers.
While we are doubtful the event will still go ahead we wanted to make it clear if it does that this is not supported by the HN’s, GBS or the TD forum and if attending your individual and club insurance might be invalid if the necessary guidance is not followed. Attendance is at your own risk
09/07/20 – Scottish Government announce Phase 3 to commence with immediate effect. This gives a green light to snowsports coaching for clubs and facilities. Key points are that fro outdoor drymat or snow activity:
- U12’s can be coached in any group size without social distancing
- 12-17yr olds can be coached in group sizes of up to 15 with social distancing recommended. (Note sportscotland have confirmed that the 5 household limit is waived)
- 18yr olds + can be coached in groups of up to 15 from up to 5 households only.
22/06/20 – GB Snowsport and the Home Nations announce today that we have extended the date of our cancelled events through until 31st August 2020.
We will be reviewing the situation on an on-going basis based on government guidance and will communicate any further decisions as the situation changes.
We take the health and welfare of our athletes/members extremely seriously and we would like to thank you for your cooperation during this time.
For further advice, please see the latest Government information and guidance take extra precaution if you have to travel on public transport, e.g. washing of hands, face masks, hand gels, coughing into tissue and disposing of it.
18/06/20 – Scottish Government announce that phase 2 exit from lockdown will start in a staged manner effective 18th June 2020.
28/05/20 – Scottish Government announce that Phase 1 exit from lockdown will start on Friday 29th May – see Roadmap.
11/05/20 – GB Snowsport and the Home Nations announces extension of cancellation of all events and activities through until 30th June 2020.
25/03/20 GB Snowsport and the Home Nations, postpone all activities (including competitions, events, athlete training sessions and courses) until further notice.
24/03/20 – Scottish Institute of Sport issue guidance on maintaining wellbeing through lockdown Looking after your wellbeing
18/03/20 – GB Snowsports issues communication announcing interruption to activities GB Snowsport Update
03/03/20 – Scottish Institute of Sport issue a guideline to minimise spread of COVID-19 Scottish Institute of Sport Communication
21/02/20 – Scottish Institute of Sport Issue fact sheet on emerging threat of COVID-19. Scottish Institute of Sport Update
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ISSUED PUBLICATIONS
23/12/21 – sportscotland Covid-19 update
17/12/21 – sportscotland Return to Sport and Physical Activity
26/10/21 – sportscotland Resumption of performance sport guidance
01/08/21 – sportscotland Return to Sport and Physical Activity and COVID-19 Mitigation Measures – letter from Scottish Govt
06/08/21 – sportscotland Return to Sport and Physical Activity and
19/07/21 – Snowsport Scotland COVID-19 Summary guidance 19/07
sportscotland Return to Sport and Physical activity guidance 16/07
24/05/21 – Snowsport Scotland COVID-19 Summary guidance 24/05
sportscotland Return to Sport and Physical activity guidance
19/05/21 – Snowsport Scotland Event Guidance Updated Document
+ Supporting Framework Guidance
13/05/21 – Snowsport Scotland Guidance for Clubs and Facilities
sportscotland Return to Sport and Physical Activity guidance
27/04/21 – Snowsport Scotland Updated Event Guidance
22/04/21 – Snowsport Scotland Updated COVID announcement and guidance
sportscotland Return to Sport and Physical Activity guidance doc – effective 26 April
20/04/21 – COVID Guidance – Outdoor Learning Off-site visits: Emerging from Lockdown
Outdoor Learning Off-site visits Covering letter
15/04/21 – sportscotland Return to Sport and Physical activity guidance update
31/03/21 – Shared Resources for SSS Update Meeting:
- Bluefin Brexit Insurance Statement
- Harper McLeod EU Country Embassy and Consulate Contacts
- Powerpoint Presentation
- Presentation Recording
30/03/21 – sportscotland Return to Sport and Physical Activity Guidance
22/03/21 – Updated Event and Competiton Guidance (22/03)
12/03/21 – sportscotland Return to Sport and Physical Activity Updated Guidance and Snowsport Scotland Guidance Table
12/03/21 – Event and Competition Guidance (12/03) and
COVID-19 Event Operating Checklist
26/02/21 – Scottish Govt COVID Update
07/01/21 – UPDATE – Return to sport and physical activity guidance
06/01/21 – January Lockdown Updated sportscotland guidance for Sport and Physical Activity.
15-12-20 – Updated sportscotland guidance for Sport and Physical Activity
01-12-20 – New guidance on the running of qualifications training courses
30/11/20 – sportscotland Guidelines for Sport and Physical Activity
20/11/20 – Updated Guidance
- sportscotland Guidelines for Sport and Physical activity
- Guidance for Alpine Race Organisers for events on snow
- Artificial Slope Capacity Calculation Guide
- Hospitality Guidance – applies to Mountain Huts
13/11/20 – Updated Guidance
12/11/20 – Updated Guidance + Resources
- Snowsport Scotland Permitted Snowsports Activity Table
- Updated Artificial Snowsports Centre Guidance
- List of supporting resources for facilities opening and operating through coronavirus
02/11/20 – Detail relating to activity and travel under new regional tiered system
- Snowsport Scotland Permitted Snowsports Activity Table under the new 5 tier system
- sportscotland guidelines for sport
- Scottish Government Travel Guidelines
13/10/20 – Update to Performance Sport Guidelines
09/10/20 – UPDATE to Phase 3 Guidelines:
- sportscotland phase 3 updated guidance – please see appendix for key relevant statements highlighted in yellow
- Snowsport Scotland updated Phase summary Guidance and FAQ sheet with detailed slope capacity calculations examples
22/09/20 – STATEMENT OF NO CHANGE to Phase 3 sports guidelines
21/09/20 – UPDATE to Phase 3 Guidelines + Covid Officer e-Training
11/09/20 – UPDATE to Phase 3 Guidelines
- Phase 3: Sportscotland Return to Sport and Physical Activity guidance
- Phase 3 : Note of changes to to the above Return to Sport and Physical Activity Guidance
28/08/20 – UPDATE to Phase 3 Guidelines
- Phase 3: Snowsport Scotland Covid-19 Risk Assessment
- Phase 3: Snowsport Scotland Summary Guidance+FAQ’s
- Phase 3: Facility and Club Re-start Guidelines
20/08/20 – UPDATE to Phase 3 Guidelines
- Phase 3: Guidance for the opening of indoor and outdoor sport and leisure facilities with physical distancing and hygiene measures
- Phase 3: ‘Resumption of Performance Sport’ guidance
- Phase 3: sportscotland ‘operational’ checklists to support sport & leisure facility operators
30/07/20 – UPDATE to Phase 3 Guidelines
- Phase 3 – Return to Sport and Physical Activity – Updated
- Phase 3 – Getting Coaches ready for return to Sport – Updated
13/07/20 – UPDATE to PHASE 3 Guidelines
- sportscotland Phase 3 – Resumption of Performance Sport Step 3 (return to ELITE LEVEL domestic competition – no spectators)
- sportscotland Phase 3 – Resumption of Performance Sport Step 4 (return to ELITE LEVEL cross border competition – no spectators)
09/07/20 – UPDATE to PHASE 3 Guidelines
- Snowsport Scotland PHASE 3 Return to Coaching
- Template: Return to training questionnaire
- Template: Trainee/Athlete opt-in form
- Template: Coach/Staff opt-in form
- Template: Symptom tracker
- St John’s Ambulance First Aid Guidelines
- Guideline re Social Media posting
06/07/20 – GB Snowsports Gov’t Guideline + Risk Assessment UPDATED 06/07/20
02/07/20 – UPDATE to PHASE 2 Guidelines
29/06/20 – UPDATE to PHASE 2 Guidelines
- Phase 2 – Resumption of Performance Sport Appendix 2
- Phase 2 – Resumption of Performance Sport Appendix 3
- Phase 2 – sportscotland routemap update
19/06/20 – ISSUE of PHASE 2 Guidelines
- sportscotland PHASE 2 Guidance for coaches leaders and instructors
- Snowsport Scotland results of the public return to snowsports survey
08/06/20 – Snowsport Scotland guidance and checklist for the reopening of facilities and reactivation of clubs.
29/05/20 – sportscotland guide to getting clubs and facilities ready for sport
28/05/20 – UK Government Guidance for First Responders in COVID-19
27/05/20 – sportscotland outdoor sport reactivation guidelines for clubs and facilities
27/05/20 – Template COVID-19 Safety Guidance Infographic for Snowsports Centres PDF (Editable MS Word)
21/05/20 – GB Snowsport additional Risk Assessment and Checklists under COVID-19
05/05/20 – sportscotland support for Sport in COVID-19
30/03/20 – Harper McLeod legal advice for clubs in COVID-19
24/03/20 – sportscotland advice on maintaining wellbeing during Covid-19
REGULARLY UPDATED RESOURCES
- sportscotland COVID19 webpage
- Scottish Government COVID Publications page
- Health and Safety Executive Risk Assessment Guide
- Keeping connected in COVID-19
- St John’s Ambulance Advice for First Aiders in COVID-19
- Health Protection Scotland General guidance for non-healthcare settings
- Health Protection Scotland Cleaning in a non-healthcare setting
- Health Protection Scotland Hand hygiene techniques
- Transport Scotland – Covid-19
- Harper Macleod Guidance for Clubs
