The measures put in place by Bitton Road Runners (BRR) have enabled us to declare the Club Covid Secure as defined by England Athletics (EA).

Key to this is Run Together (RT) and we thank you for booking your sessions through RT.

Over 100 of you have registered and returned to running. We welcome the new members who have joined the club and look forward to running with you.

No doubt you have asked what impact the recent statement by the Prime Minister regarding the group size will have on us as a Club. Below is the latest statement by EA “Following new Government guidance announcement to come into affect 14 September, the Government has now confirmed to Sport England that organised sports and activities which have been through return to play protocols will be allowed to continue as before” Being Covid Secure is part of the Return to Play protocols so we are able to continue running as planned. In fact, we could increase our group size above 6. However, the Committee have taken the decision to keep the groups at 5+1 coach for the time being (See Note 1). The reason being we have sufficient coaches to over the demand and we don’t wish to be seen (incorrectly) by the residence of Bitton to be flouting the rules. As part of the Covid Secure process we have Risk Assessed our routes and produced both an Action Plan and a Policy statement. These documents can be found on our web site.

An extract from the Policy Statement is below, this details what we as a Club have done and what we expect of you. Steps taken by club to achieve Covid Secure Status:

• Appointed COVID-19 Co-ordinator officers Steve Herring and Lola Whiting

• Produced both Site based and Route based Risk Assessments to ensure compliance with EA & Government guidelines (See Note 2)

• Produced an Action Pan in accordance with EA requirements

• Liaised with Oldland Abbotonians in relation to all matters regarding the club house and facilities to ensure Covid secure standards are met

• We continue to liaise with the facilities operators at the Whitehall Track to enable sessions there to recommence in the Autumn

• Prepared and planned for circumstance where injuries may occur (See Note 3 below)

• Introduced England Athletics Run Together as a booking system to control numbers and capture details of all participants to support the UK Governments NHS Test and Trace system

• We will closely monitor the current Covid-19 situation both nationally and in the local Bristol area to ensure all sessions are compliant with all current UK Government and EA guidelines

• In accordance with EA guidelines all Groups will be led by a EA licensed coach

• We will provide weekly updates with details of the sessions and guidance to all members via email, the club web site and social media

Runners commitment to the club when participating in Club sessions

• You are over 18yrs old and a fully paid up member of the club

• You have provided up to date ICE and health details.

• You pre-book your session via Run Together

• You Do Not participate in club sessions if you feel unwell or have signs or symptoms of Covid-19 (even if you are feeling well)

• You Do Not participate in club sessions if you are subject to Government restrictions e.g. have recently returned from a high-risk country or live in an area subject to local restrictions

• You agree to notify the Covid Co-ordinator via email (steve.herring@bittonroadrunners.co.uk ), if you develop any signs or symptoms of Covid-19 within 14 days of a club session and you agree to follow government guidance in place at the time (self-isolate, get a test, call 111 and seek further medical advice etc).

• You agree to notify the Covid Co-ordinator via email (steve.herring@bittonroadrunners.co.uk ), if you test positive for Covid-19.

• You agree to notify the Covid Co-ordinator via email (steve.herring@bittonroadrunners.co.uk ), if you become subject to NHS Test & Trace

• You avoid high risk behaviour outside the Club setting to reduce the risk to their fellow runners when you do attend a club session

• You agree not to use the OAFC changing or shower facilities if open. Action to be taken if a case of Covid-19 is reported

• The club fully supports NHS Test and Trace and if contacted will provide details of runners who attended club sessions on dates requested.

• Following EA guidance, anyone who has attended one of our Run Together sessions and subsequently tests positive for COVID is required to complete the UKA COVID-19 tracking form. A link to the form can be found here https:// www.uka.org.uk/governance/health-safety/covid-19-form/

• If a runner reports that they have contracted the Corona Virus the Committee will immediately cancel all future Club sessions. The Covid Co-ordinator will liaise with NHS Test and Trace, UKA and EA as to how to inform club members and to ascertain when club running can safely recommence.

• If a runner reports they have been told to self-isolate by the NHS Test and Trace team the Committee will immediately place on hold all future run sessions.

The clubs Covid-19 co-ordinator will then liaise with the NHS Test and Trace team as to when running can safely recommence.

Note 1: The Club will con2nually review the maximum number of socially distanced runners at each loca2on to ensure the 2mtr distance can achieved

Note 2: The need to touch surfaces during a Club session (open gates etc) narrow paths and boAle necks has been reduced but cannot be eliminated from some of our Club routes

Note 3: In the case of an injury such as minor cuts and bruises you will be asked, by the coach, to self-administer first aid e.g. aAach plaster etc. In the event of a collapsed non-breathing runner, no breaths will be administered. CPR will be chest compressions only. If possible, the mouth and nose of the casualty will be covered with a cloth or 2ssue.

NB There is a defibrillator behind the bar of the Club house

Finally, we appreciate that some of you may not feel ready to recommence running in groups of any size. We fully understand and look forward to welcoming you back when you feel the time is right.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email steve.herring@bittonroadrunners or speak to a member of the committee. Keep safe Steve Herring BRR Covid Co-Ordinator