Along with the plan on reopening society and the economy, cabinet has given green light for adult team sports outdoor training to resume from 10 May.
It marks a further opening up of sporting activity along with last Monday’s reopening of sports facilities, including pitches, golf courses and tennis courts.This is a welcome news for participants who have been deprived of all but solo training since Christmas and had to endure truncated seasons of sport in 2020.
Activities should take place between a maximum of two households. Facilities including club houses and any indoor facilities (for example: changing rooms, showers, kitchens, meeting rooms), apart from essential toilet facilities must remain closed. There should not be any return to team sports or training activities.Also Underage non-contact outdoor training in pods of 15 can resume.
All Clubs are required to appoint a Lead Club Covid Officer and advise Athletics Ireland of their Lead Officers contact details. Please email the contact details of your Lead Club Covid Officer to kieronstout@athleticsireland.ie. However, you may train as many additional Covid Officers as you see fit to support Club activity. The Club Covid Officer is a standalone role and should not be an active coach involved in a training session.
Swimming pool and gym’s will be opened by June 7th,with competitive matches also set to resume on this date.It is understood training will be non-contact and in pods of 15, with sporting bodies waiting for clarification on when full-contact training and challenge games can recommence.
For Club members note the following steps in order to attend your club.
- Book all sessions online using the Athletics Ireland Covid booking app
- Maintain social distancing during training at all times.
- Carry a bottle of hand sanitiser and use regularly.
- If using equipment wipe clean before and after use with an appropriate cleaning agent.
- Do not attend training in your club if you feel unwell or are displaying any Covid symptoms such as fever, shortness of breath or loss of smell or taste.