Updated guidance for next stage of lockdown easing

England Touch is giving clubs and players updated guidance (Sunday, May 31st, 2020) for the next stage of lockdown easing.

As of Monday, June 1st, six individuals from different households can meet outside for socialising and exercise, while still observing social distancing guidelines.

Outdoor spaces for exercise – parks, rugby clubs, etc – are able to be used, and while there is no restriction on the distance you can travel public transport should be your last option and private transport (aside from running or cycling) should only be with people from your own households.

Clubs may now be exploring options to re-start their training programmes, so England Touch has put together the following advice:

Before doing so, please ensure any training is done in a safe space and you conduct your own risk assessment
Training groups should consist of no more than six people and this includes any coaches, or other personnel that might be present. We recommend that the same six people stick together at every session, with drills two metres apart
Scale your training depending on your available space. We don’t recommend separate groups of six meeting at the same venue even if they are kept apart. Arrival times must be staggered, and if your space is limited you should consider having multiple sessions during the week.
Whoever runs your session must keep a register of who attends which session, including telephone numbers and emails, for contact tracing purposes
One person should be responsible for the equipment, including balls and cones, and this should all be washed before and after sessions.
Wash your hands regularly, with soap and/or suitable hand sanitiser available
Do not share water bottles, etc
Arrive dressed to train and do not use changing rooms and showers
Safeguarding – parents, etc, need to be watching sessions from their cars and not pitchside. Any training involving Under-18s must be group-based
Even if the host venue’s bar is open for takeaway drinks and food you must consume them off the premises and not socialise after your session

This advice is specifically for clubs – as per our previous guidance, if you are having an informal throwaround in the park amongst your group of six then respect social distancing and wash the ball you use before and afterwards, as well as your hands before and afterwards.

Finally, if you are showing any coronavirus symptoms whatsoever then do not train, and if you develop symptoms after a session you must inform whoever ran your session so they can inform others for self-isolating purposes.

These include: