COVID-19

ECOG/BMC guidance for events under COVID-19


(This was last updated September 1st 2021)


Please note that the following wording relates primarily to events in England. At the current time there are still some restrictions in place for any event taking place in Wales. For any events in Wales organisers and attendees should ensure they are aware of, and comply with, the requirements in place at the time.


As the UK attempts to emerge from the recent COVID restrictions into some kind of new normal, ECOG will continue to strive for as ‘normal’ a programme of events as possible whilst remaining sensitive to both continuing actual physical risks from COVID and any understandable reluctance of members to attend certain events.


As at September 1st 2021 all COVID related legal restrictions affecting ECOG events have been removed. However, the BMC offer the following general considerations:

Please remember that legal minimums are just that – minimums. Many organisations are asking their staff, volunteers and customers to go beyond these minimums, to provide both genuinely improved safety, and the reassurance that is essential for higher levels of use. As with all other aspects of health and safety, people in any capacity are expected to take reasonable and appropriate steps to minimise their potential to harm those who may be affected by their acts or omissions.

As always, we have to stay within guidance and increasingly allow individuals to make their own choices. Essentially indoor meets, outdoor meets and huts are operating as close to "normality" as the guidance allows if the club and their club members feel comfortable doing so, with common sense around mitigation procedures. It is important for club committees to have conversations with their members to get their views on what they are comfortable with.

It would still seem sensible to encourage good hygiene (washing hands, sanitising etc.) and also, importantly, an open window policy in huts. As we continue towards a fuller opening there is much more emphasis on personal assessments. Those who are risk averse can always choose to avoid huts or busy meets, and those that are less concerned can use them with enhanced care.

Some parts of the country, with increasing infection rates, are asking visitors to consider their actions by delaying their visit, avoiding popular “honey-pot” areas and undertaking tests before departing from home. Clubs may wish to support the local population in the areas they are visiting by adhering to the local requests to reduce transmission of the virus.

In line with this the latest ECOG advice remains as published in Howard’s email of 26th July 2021:


We are now looking to put together ECOG programmes that are as ‘normal’ as possible. At the same time it is clear that we will be living with COVID issues for the foreseeable future and some people will clearly be more nervous than others about group events. So here are some pointers for both event leaders and members generally as we move forward.


General

  • The virus is still around and more infectious than ever. Continue to maintain good hygiene, especially washing hands and even though ‘social distancing’ is no longer a legal requirement please respect other people’s space.

  • Whilst indoor meets are now allowed, outdoors is always going to be safer. This may affect the numbers on any given event.


Day walks and cycle rides

  • There is now no limit on the number of people who can attend however, we will still give event leaders the option to specify a maximum number of attendees should they wish and if so to request people ‘book’ onto the event beforehand. There will obviously be no requirement to record or keep any of that information.

  • If you do choose to limit the numbers on your event, please be sensitive to any requests to attend from new members. If you are not able to include them at least explain why and possibly suggest future events for them.

  • Whilst leaders are now free to resume meeting at Macc station should they wish, they are equally free to continue to meet at the start point of the event if they prefer that.

  • Cafe or pub stops (including indoors) are now possible again but as with any other business many will still ask that customers wear masks or comply with other requests. If you are going to use such facilities it is just simple courtesy to comply with whatever is requested.


Car sharing

  • Car sharing is now allowed and should be considered from both an environmental and parking perspective as well as ensuring people without transport have the option to attend. All Government advice regarding masks, seating positions, ventilation etc should be considered and please be sympathetic if either the driver or the passengers request it.

  • If you are a regular Sunday walker perhaps consider car sharing regularly with the same person/people to get the benefits of sharing whilst reducing the risk.


Social events

  • Starting from August we will attempt to hold the monthly pub meet in an actual pub and see how popular that is.

  • For the new programme feel free to add indoor social events such as pub meets or meals. Just don’t be disappointed if you only get limited numbers. It may take a while for all of us to be comfortable with such things.


Weekends away

  • From September we will try and return to regular monthly weekends assuming there is the demand for them.

  • YHA are now starting to re-open communal areas such as kitchens and we will only make bookings where that is the case. It remains to be seen what happens with dorms. At the moment it seems likely that rooms will be exclusive to the party that books them.

  • We will also be investigating non YHA options especially if they seem more suitable. If you have any suggestions for venues then please let us know.

  • As with every other event on the programme we rely on members being prepared to lead them. If you think you might like to lead a weekend but are either concerned about what may now be involved or have never done it before, please get in touch and we will be more than happy to help you through the process.


Virtual events

  • Some events that started life during the pandemic such as the book club or the knitting group are likely to continue.

  • It will be up to the organisers and attendees to decide whether they remain virtual or not.

  • There is obviously no reason at all why you shouldn’t add a virtual event to the programme should you so wish.


If you have any questions around any of this feel free to ask Howard, Helen Y or anyone else on the committee.


For Government guidance on current best practice click on the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-coronavirus-restrictions-what-you-can-and-cannot-do


For details of the specific requirements for events in Wales click on the link below:

https://gov.wales/alert-level-0-guidance-public-html