New Guidance To Help Manage Covid Within Hockey

It was confirmed by Government that from 19 July, in England, most of the legal restrictions relating to Covid-19 would end. As a result of this England Hockey are now releasing new guidance, Managing Covid within Hockey, that conforms with Step 4 of the Government roadmap out of lockdown and is applicable to all hockey activity from 19 July. 

The easing of restrictions has seen an end to previous legal gathering limits and the requirement for social distancing. This confirms that there are no longer any limits on the number of people that can participate in, and spectate, hockey, both indoors and outdoors.  It also removes the limitations on changing rooms, clubhouses, hospitality and domestic travel. 

Although a lot of the previous measures put in place to keep us safe are no longer required by law, England Hockey would like to see a continuation of much of the good practice that clubs and the community have implemented over the past year to help everyone keep returning with confidence. The Government are also emphasising the need for caution as we continue to ease out of lockdown. 

So what is in the updated guidance? 

Still required by England Hockey 

• England Hockey still require all clubs and organisations to have a registered Covid Officer 

No longer required by England Hockey 

• Participants needing to sign a participation agreement 

England Hockey recommended good practice - guidance here - the main headlines as follows: 

• Attendance registers (however, they no longer need to be submitted to England Hockey) 
• Covid specific risk assessments 
• Following the Planning Safe Hockey guide 

Government guidance - guidance here - the main headlines as follows: 

• Self-assessment for Covid-19 symptoms before participating 
• Informed decisions and self-isolation 
• NHS Test and Trace 

Whilst it’s positive that restrictions are lifting, with case rates high we know that there is nervousness about returning. A recent Sport England survey found that: 

• In June 2021, 60% of people say they are worried about the risk of the virus to themselves and 77% are worried about the risk to the country as a whole  
• 56% of people with a health condition are still worried about leaving the house to be active 
• Only a quarter of Britons expect life to return to ‘normal’ within 2021 

This needs to be considered by everyone involved in hockey activity as there will be different expectations and levels of comfort amongst different groups. 

The full guidance document, Managing Covid within Hockey, is available via the updated Covid Support page, which also includes the latest FAQs and related resources and news. 

England Hockey would like to thank everyone from Covid Officers to volunteers and from coaches to players and officials, for the part they have played in responding to the pandemic so far. We ask that everyone continues to take on personal and collective responsibility to apply the guidance, be respectful of others, stay safe and most of all, enjoy being back on the pitch!