RYA Northern Ireland return to sport update
by RYA Northern Ireland 23 Apr 2021 21:50 BST
RYA Northern Ireland © RYA Northern Ireland
Following the recent Government announcement on 16 April and subsequent guidance received from Sport NI, RYA Northern Ireland has updated its Return to Boating webpage with all relevant guidance for clubs, centres and participants.
The RYA Northern Ireland welcomes the following announcements:
- A return to racing from 23 April, albeit with numbers restricted to 100
- An indication of future dates for members to be able to stay overnight onboard
- Club hospitality to start to reopen
The guidance now also extends to allow Mixed Household Sailing and Racing for activity organised by an affiliated club or body.
The published guidance recognises that in some situations whilst afloat it will not be possible to maintain normal social distancing; helps skippers and participants to evaluate the risk and suggests some mitigations which may need to be implemented.
It is important that skippers (in particular) determine a suitable number of crew whilst balancing the risk of Covid transmission vs the risks involved whilst carrying out manoeuvres and generally sailing and racing short-handed.
Sailing with mixed households is possible as part of activity that is not organised activity, but this must conform with the wider social contact regulations, which include social distancing and the Rule of 10/two households.
The maximum crew number should be decided by the ability for that crew to maintain social distancing afloat and other mitigations.
There still remains a number of restrictions that will impact on some activity as restrictions slowly start to ease and future updates will be communicated and shared as soon as reasonably possible.
The Framework, FAQs and Mixed Household Guidance are available through the RYANI Return to Boating Webpage.