Yesterday (9th September) Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced new measures designed to tackle the spread of coronavirus. This comes as we have an increase in the level of contact allowed by the RFL.

A. Government advice

While organised team sports that operate in a COVID-secure setting were exempt from the new restrictions, we recognise that this is in response to a rise in infections in the community. The RFL has not asked us to make any changes to our procedures but as a club we will now carry out:

Temperature checks for all

All players received an infrared temperature check. We will now ask to take the temperature of all attendees when they register upon arrival.

A high temperature of over 37.8C will mean you are asked to step away and return in ten minutes. If your temperature remains high, you will be asked to leave.

If for any reason we are unable to complete temperature checks, we will ask spectators wellness questions of 1) “have you been in contact with anyone with or suspected to have COVID-19 in the last two weeks?” and 2) “are you experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms?”

B. Changes to RFL guidance on contact-levels

The RFL advised that clubs could move to ‘Stage 3’ from 7th September from none to limited contact.

As a club, we are recommending to our coaches we do not move to this level of higher risk activity until the end of September, but if coaches do wish to, they must follow the limits, namely limited contact and no more than 10 minutes per session. More detail on the stages can be found HERE.

All coaches have been given a template that aligns with the RFL guidance but gives them the flexibility to coach to the team’s needs.

Ongoing requirements for all

All players are required to return the Player Declaration, register with the RFL and sign up to the September sessions before returning for their first training session.

Once this is done, on a weekly basis they must book their place at training by Wednesday 6pm. No one will be allowed to turn up on the day and train.

All attendees such undertake a self-assessment for symptoms before arrival and players should be able to answer NO to the seven wellness questions found HERE.

The key points of what to do on Saturdays remain:

• Arrive 30-15 minutes early for registration
• Player registration before entry
• Temperature checks
• Player wellness questions
• Hand santisation upon entry and exit (we supply but encourage you to bring your own)
• Spectator distancing in set zones
• Set entry and exit points
• Bring your own water bottles and do not share equipment

Please note the Sporting Club facilities are not available yet meaning there are no changing, café or toilet facilities.

During training, players are reminded to:

• Distance from other players during warm ups and breaks
• Santise hands if they handle their mouthguard during the session
• Not keep their personal water bottle in the spectator area
Further details can be found HERE.