IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL EVH MEMBERS
Dear All
We hope you are still all keeping well during this unprecedented situation which is still affecting us all. Here is the latest update from our governing body England Athletics relating to training. You may now train with one other person not from your household which can be a coach or another athlete. It is important to follow the guidelines below totally however.
Suspension of athletics competition extended to 30 June 2020.
Following previous statements on 17 March and 24 March, England Athletics, in collaboration with the other Home Country Athletics Federations and UKA, can confirm that the suspension period relating specifically to athletics competition has been extended until at least the 30 June 2020.
We have collectively taken the decision to extend the suspension of licensed competition activity due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and in recognition that event organisers, clubs, athletes, officials and coaches at all levels of the sport need clarity, advanced notice and time to plan.
However following the publication of the new government guidelines on exercise England Athletics have been working with UKA and other stakeholders to create three guidance documents for our registered athletes, runners, coaches and athletic venues. These procedures apply to England only and are based on government guidelines detailing the use of public spaces, outdoor activity and exercise:
1. Guidance for athletes and runners return to activity
2. Guidance for coaches and leaders return to activity
3. Guidance for athletic venues return to activity
Athletic outdoor track and field facilities should only open at the discretion and with the consent of the facility owner, provider or contractor and we advise that everyone abides by the government guidance to Stay Alert.
Chris Jones, England Athletics CEO, says: “The safety and wellbeing of all athletes, runners, coaches and the wider community is at the heart of our guidance. We know that everyone in the England Athletics family, including RunTogether are keen to resume running and athletics activity as soon as it is safe and appropriate for them to do so. England Athletics recognises that wish but at the same time wants to ensure that the safety and wellbeing of everyone in the athletics community, facility providers and the wider community is considered as the first priority.”
Our guidance provides sport specific advice to help athletes and runners in England only. It is important to say that any return to activity must take account of local conditions and any risk assessment for normal activities should be undertaken as well as ensuring that all government guidance around Covid-19 is taken into account. It is the responsibility of each athlete, runner, coach, and venue, to make that assessment based on their local environment. Risk assessment must take into account mitigations and plans for when activities do not go as expected. For example, an injury occurring and the need to access help whilst adhering to social distancing.
England Athletics advises that formal club and group activity do not take place during this first step due to the requirements for social distancing.
This guidance has been published on the understanding that it is an interpretation of government guidance relevant to the sport of athletics and running. It is likely to change at short notice; in which case we will publish updates through the England Athletic website and our social media channels.
Keith
