Covid-19 update: changes to group sizes now allowed in Levels 0-3

Friday 4th June 2021

scottishathletics and jogscotland Covid Guidance V9 040621
scottishathletics and jogscotland Covid Framework v9 040621

The return to sport continues as we seek to emerge from Covid-19 restrictions and it has been great in recent weeks to see clubs getting back to training – and competition in our 4J Studios Together Apart Series.

Following further clarity being provided on group sizes across the framework we have made some updates to our guidance.

The group sizes for training in each level are now consistent with the numbers permitted for competition.

From L0-L3 the group size is now also the same for all age groups. scottishathletics however do continue to advise that clubs follow the recommended UK Coaching Ratio.

Level 4 – Group Size 15 athletes not including coaches (U12 is group size of 30)

Level 3 – Group Size 30 athletes not including coaches

Level 2 – Group Size 50 athletes and coaches

Level 1 – Group Size 100 athletes and coaches

Level 0 – group size 500 athletes and coaches

Although these changes will hopefully enable clubs to return to a more normal structure of operating training sessions, please continue to liaise with the venue operator to discuss capacity and their own internal processes for managing Covid-19.

It remains at the venue operators discretion to set their capacity.

Despite group sizes increasing significantly as you move down the Levels, off-track clubs in particular need to continue risk assessing the environment they are training in to determine suitable group sizes.

Please do continue to consider other users of public spaces to ensure they are able to maintain physical distance from your groups. We would also ask clubs who have many athletes travelling from different levels to consider the potential additional risk and manage it appropriately.

The Scottish Government protection levels that come into effect at 00:01 on 05/06/2021 are as follows.

Level 2 areas

Glasgow, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Dundee, East Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, the three Ayrshires, North and South Lanarkshire, Clackmannanshire and Stirling.

Level 1 areas

Highland, Argyll & Bute, Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire, Moray, Angus, Perth & Kinross, Falkirk, Fife, Inverclyde, East and West Lothian, West Dunbartonshire, Dumfries & Galloway and the Borders.

Level 0 areas

Shetland, Orkney, and the Western Isles – and a number of small, remote islands who are already in Level 1 will move to Level 0.

We do not plan to hold any Question and Answer sessions at this time but if you have any questions, please contact your National Club Manager or development@scottishathletics.org.uk

Once again thank you for all the effort and time you are putting in as volunteers to get athletics moving again.