Following the implementation of the Scottish Government’s COVID-19 protection levels, which set out measures that can be applied nationally or locally depending on prevalence of the virus across Scotland, Scottish Hockey has developed an aligned framework for its clubs and members.

The 5-level system follows the Scottish Government’s framework and will help you to understand and prepare for protections that might be introduced, as well as showing how and when they may change.

It allows clubs to prepare for whatever level their part of the country is in, and for if their level changes at any point.

This new system was introduced from 2 November 2020.

Levels will be reviewed on a regular basis aligned with changes to Scottish Government guidance.

Below is a breakdown of the restrictions in place that affect hockey at each level of the framework. We have also broke these levels down into individual pages, which can be viewed below:

Level 0

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Read and follow general guidance.

DOWNLOAD: Protect Scotland app

Download the information on this page in a PDF: Covid-19 guidance 19 July 2021 

The number of participants allowed to take part in organised indoor sport or physical activity should follow Scottish Government guidance on the opening of sport and leisure facilities and sport specific SGB Guidance. 

An outdoor sporting ‘field of play bubble’, including multiple bubbles, can be used for organised training, competition, or participation events up to the limits noted below.  Coaches, officials, and other volunteers are not included in Level 0 to Level 2 bubble/participation numbers but are at Level 3.  Support staff numbers should be limited to those that are required to ensure a safe, well run activity:

Level 3 – Bubbles of up to 30 with a maximum of 200 participants per day

Level 2 – Bubbles of up to 50 with a maximum of 500 participants per day

Level 1 – Bubbles of up to 100 with a maximum of 1000 participants per day

Level 0 – Bubbles of up to 500 with no participant limit per day

These are not necessarily numbers to be aimed for, ensure numbers around participation make people feel safe.

U12s

  • Our coach to player ratios remain at 1 coach to 10 players
  • Activity can be contact.
  • Each of the groups must be treated as separate bubbles / sessions. At no stage should groups mix and appropriate one way systems should be in place at your respective facility
  • For spectator info see the spectator section below.

U18’s

  • Our coach to player ratios remain at 1 coach to 10 players
  • All activity in Level 4 areas must be non-contact for people aged over 12 and any activity must ensure physical distancing is in place at all times before, during and after activity takes place
  • Each of the groups must be treated as separate bubbles / sessions. At no stage should groups mix and appropriate one way systems should be in place at your respective facility
  • For spectator info see the spectator section below.

 

Over 18’s

  • Participants aged 18 years or over can travel to and from a Level 0, 1 and 2 area to take part in organised sport, physical activity, training and competition. They should not travel to a Level 3 or 4 area.
  • All activity must be non-contact in levels 3 and 4 and any activity must ensure physical distancing is in place at all times before, during and after activity takes place
  • Each of the groups must be treated as separate bubbles / sessions. At no stage should groups mix and appropriate one way systems should be in place at your respective facility.
  • For spectator info see the spectator section below.

 

Indoor maximum bubble of 15 at all levels.

Getting Coaches Ready for Sport provides a 4-stage approach/checklist to further support coaches to plan and deliver safe sessions.

The local protection level in place for sport and physical activity will dictate what activity can be coached, indoors and outdoors and to whom in that area.

Coaches can take multiple indoor sessions per day, however the numbers allowed in each session will depend upon the protection level in place.

Travel guidance outlined by the Scottish Government should always be followed.   Further information on what travel is permitted in the five protection levels for each local authority area is available at Coronavirus (COVID-19): local protection levels .

Specific information on car sharing is available from Transport Scotland:  advice on how to travel safely.

People can travel to and from Level 0, 1, 2 and 3 areas to facilitate or take part in organised sport, training, and competition which is for persons under 18 years of age.

Participants aged 18 years or over can travel to and from a Level 0, 1 and 2 area to take part in organised sport, physical activity, training, and competition.  However, to help suppress the spread of the virus, it is advised that people should not utilise facilities or take part in activities that are not allowed in their home local area protection Level.  Participants should not travel to a Level 3 or 4 area to take part in organised sport or physical activity.

International travel

Travellers arriving from certain countries overseas may be required, by law, to quarantine by self-isolation for 14 days after arrival.

If you travel back from a country, which requires quarantine, to another part of the UK, but your final destination is Scotland, you must follow the rules that are in place in Scotland.

Guidance on international travel and quarantine.

 

Travel between Scotland and the rest of the UK

Unrestricted travel is allowed both within Scotland and between Scotland and England, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man – with the exception of any areas of Scotland in Level 3* or Level 4). Travel restrictions will change between Scotland and the rest of the world – see international travel section below.

(* Depending on the state of the epidemic in Moray, that local authority area may be in Level 3 from 17 May.) These rules may be changed depending on the state of the pandemic in Scotland and in other countries. Please check back here for up to date information before you travel.

 

Public Transport

Transport providers will have procedures to promote the safety of customers and staff, but it is an individual’s responsibility to comply with guidance.

On public transport you must by law wear a face covering, unless you are exempt, and comply with the physical distancing measures that are in place.

If you can walk or cycle please do as this will save space on public transport for those who need it.

 

Car Sharing

You should avoid sharing a vehicle with people who are not members of your household or extended household as much as possible.

If you have no other option, you should:

  • keep to small groups of people up to 6 at any one time
  • keep your distance and take care entering and exiting the vehicle
  • sit as far apart as possible in the vehicle, avoiding face-to-face
  • maintain good ventilation by keeping the car windows open
  • wear a face covering, unless you are exempt
  • clean your hands before and after your journey
  • if the vehicle is your responsibility, clean the door handles and other areas that people touch

If you regularly share transport whether it is a car or minibus or other private vehicle, try and share with the same people each time.

See: information on safe travel.

 

 

    • Spectators are not permitted unless:
    • It is recognised that it may not always be possible to prevent people from spectating [at a competition or event] in a public space such as a park. In such circumstances, the organisers are required to consider mitigating measures as part of their risk assessment/management plan with an emphasis on discouraging, where possible, informal spectating. Any such measures should be clearly communicated by the organiser prior to the competition or event which may include, amongst other things, the displaying of notices around the venue to remind club members and the general public to follow Scottish Government guidance.
    • For clarity, where informal spectating does take place organisers are not expected to enforce government guidance on members of the public in places not under their control.
  • Club must ensure that a health and safety check has been carried out ensuring there is adequate space for parents to attend e.g. one way systems & maximum COVID safe capacities.
  • At this time facility providers may not be able to accommodate parents, please therefore be respectful of local facility provider protocols.
  • Clubhouses and sports facilities which provide catering and bar services, can operate providing they adhere to Scottish Government guidance appropriate to the protection level in which they are operating.  Further information is available at Coronavirus (COVID-19): tourism and hospitality sector guidance.
  • Retail units operated by sports facility operators may reopen provided all specific Scottish Government guidance for retailers appropriate to the protection level in which they are operating is in place and adhered to.  Further information from the Scottish Government is available at Retail Sector Guidance.
  • Consider whether meetings and training must be completed in person or whether alternative approaches can be used. If it is essential that meetings and training takes place in person, Scottish Government guidance for general workplacesmust be followed and a risk assessment should be completed.
  • Where changing rooms and showering facilities are to be used specific guidance relating to use of ‘Changing and Showers’ is available at Getting Your Facilities Fit for Sport.  This is applicable at all levels where facilities remain open.
  • Operators may open public toilets if they follow the guidelines outlined on the Scottish Government website Opening Public Toilets Guidelines.