Oakmeadians RFC

RFU Law updates as of 9th September 2020

This is an update on the law changes announced by the Government on Wednesday 9 September in relation to the ban on groups of more than six people meeting socially indoors and outdoors. Although social gatherings of more than six people will be banned in England from Monday 14 September, the Government has confirmed that organised sports and activities that have been through return to play protocols can continue. With the exception of clubs impacted by local lockdown restrictions, we remain at Stage D on the Return to Community Rugby Roadmap. The rugby community can continue to organise non-contact fixtures with other clubs using Ready4Rugby and other touch rugby activity. Limited and restricted contact rugby training can also be continued. Detail of the permitted training activity is available in the return to contact training guidance. Following feedback we are working to see whether guidance on numbers permitted on training areas can be increased to reflect the age of participants. Until we have secured approval for this clubs should follow current guidance of no more than 20 players per half pitch in training.

RFU guidance as well as Government Coronavirus (Covid-19) Guidelines must be followed.

The RFU have worked closely with the Government to gain approval to return to rugby activity and the recent progression to Stage D has been well received with lots of positive impact being reported by clubs. They will continue to have close dialogue with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to progress community rugby activity to the next stage on the roadmap and we will keep you advised of any updates.

Managing visitors

Supporters, parents, and other spectators need to remain socially distanced whilst attending events. From Monday, spectator groups must be restricted to discrete six person gathering limits and spread out, in line with Government Guidelines, which you can read below. Where it is anticipated that an activity will attract spectators, this includes parents, carers, partners etc, there should be a named person or persons with responsibility for ensuring adherence with these guidelines and ensuring the facility is Covid-19 secure. The person should carry out and publish a risk assessment for the activity which limits the number of spectators and focuses on the need to maintain social distancing on arrival, for the duration of the activity, and on departure. Arrangements should also be put in place to support test and trace efforts by collecting information from spectators which is detailed enough to allow NHS Test and Trace to contact them if necessary. See the maintaining records guidance below for further information. Ahead of the new rules around social gatherings being introduced next week you may wish to consider

• Re-visiting your risk assessment to make sure you have double checked everything.
• Check your schedule to allow for a steady through flow of players and spectators.
• Keep reminding spectators to observe social distancing off the pitch.
• Following good practice to collect visitor details for track and trace.
• Consider if you can you do anything to ensure social distancing is observed e.g. making announcements, signposting or introducing time slot.

Clubhouses and Hospitality.

Groups in clubhouses and hospitality facilities must be restricted to six person gathering limits and spread out, in line with wider government guidance.

High ventilation in indoor facilities is paramount to reducing transmission of Covid-19; keep the facilities well ventilated, for example by fixing doors open and opening windows where appropriate.

If facilities remain closed, exceptions must be made for essential activity such as provision of first-aid or access to essential equipment for the match.

From Monday 14 September, you should let customers know that by law they can only visit in groups of up to six people (unless they are visiting as a household or support bubble which is larger than six). You can read these guidelines below. Until Monday 14 September, the current guidelines for keeping customers and staff safe apply.

The Government has updated the indoor guidance to minimise the risk of transmission and protect the health of customers and visitors to venues. This guidance applies to any food preparation or service setting where food and drink is sold for consumption at venues or for takeaway or delivery.

Here are seven steps to protect yourself, your staff and your customers during coronavirus (Covid-19):

1. Complete a Covid-19 risk assessment. Share it with all your staff. Find out how to do a risk assessment.
2. Clean more often. Increase how often you clean surfaces, especially those that are being touched a lot. Ask your staff and your customers to use hand sanitiser and wash their hands frequently.
3. Ask your customers to wear face coverings where required to do so by law. That is especially important if your customers are likely to be around people they do not normally meet. Some exemptions apply. Check when to wear one, exemptions, and how to make your own.
4. Make sure everyone is social distancing. Make it easy for everyone to do so by putting up signs or introducing a one way system that your customers can follow. Enable people in the same party who do not live together to remain a safe distance apart.
5. Increase ventilation by keeping doors and windows open where possible and running ventilation systems at all times.
6. Take part in NHS Test and Trace by keeping a record of all your customers for 21 days. From 18 September, this will be enforced in law. Some exemptions apply. You can read more about Maintaining records of staff, customers and visitors to support NHS Test and Trace.
7. Turn people with coronavirus symptoms away. If a staff member (or someone in their household) or a customer has a persistent cough, a high temperature or has lost their sense of taste or smell, they should be isolating.

Local lockdown restrictions

Clubs are reminded that the powers around local restrictions lie with their local authorities. We are advised that unless local restrictions specifically mention restrictions on team sports and/or rugby, clubs should follow the NGB guidelines. Clubs may need to limit their activities in line with any local restrictions and all are advised to consult with the local authority in which their facilities are located should they be in any doubt. Information regarding any new local lockdown restrictions will be posted on the Government website below. We will provide an update to the game if there is any change in guidance to playing rugby union. You can read more information on the Government local lockdown updates below.