New Covid Alert Levels Announced (England)

Government introduces three tier system affecting participation in organised sport.

Updated 2/11/2020 New measures have been announced in England that will come into place on November 4th, 2020. Please note the current status is always posted on our Covid-19 advice and guidance page here. 

Updates available as of 16/10/20  Please see the further clarification on 1:1 coaching in Tier 2 & 3 here and Higher Education here.

*Updated 14/10/20 – we are expecting further clarification which may result in changes being made – please check back here

On 12th October the Prime Minister set out (here) how the government will further simplify and standardise local rules by introducing a three tiered system of local COVID Alert Levels in England.

Details on this can be found on the government website here.

Areas with local restrictions in place can be found here.

These restrictions affect participation in organised sport in the following ways: (Please note that this advice is based on the information that we currently have as at 13/10/2020).

Medium Level (Tier 1) 

These are in line with the National Restrictions already in place in England.

Organised indoor fencing can continue to take place, provided the Rule of Six is followed. Some exemptions apply (eg U18s and Higher Education) allowing larger group sizes.

More details here.

Clubs in Tier 1 areas should follow the current BF guidelines for Return to Fencing in England which is in line with Tier 1 restrictions.

High Level (Tier 2)

Organised sport can continue to take place outdoors.

Organised sport is only permitted indoors if it is possible for people to avoid mixing with people they do not live with or share a support bubble with.

*Update 14/10/20: ‘mixing’ includes fencing/sparring/blade in hand lessons/pairs work. Clubs can run exercise classes for example to improve footwork, ensuring that people do not mix (2m distancing at all times). 

Exemptions apply for youth (U18) and disability sport.

More details here.

BF guidelines should be followed with the adaptations to setting (eg outside) and group make-up necessary to meet Tier 2 restrictions.

Very High Level (Tier 3)

The restrictions placed on areas with a very high level of infections can vary, and are based on discussions between central and local government. You should therefore check the specific rules in your area.

The minimum is currently as per Tier 2:

Organised sport can continue to take place outdoors.

Organised sport is only permitted indoors if it is possible for people to avoid mixing with people they do not live with or share a support bubble with.

*Update 14/10/20: ‘mixing’ includes fencing/sparring/blade in hand lessons/pairs work. Clubs can run exercise classes for example to improve footwork, ensuring that people do not mix (2m distancing at all times).

Exemptions apply for youth (U18) and disability sport.

More details here.

BF guidelines should be followed with the adaptations necessary (including setting, group make-up) to meet Tier 3 restrictions.

FAQs 

How do I know my alert level?

A postcode checker on GOV.UK shows which alert level applies in each area and the NHS COVID-19 app will also direct people to this information.

Can I travel out of a higher tier alert level to a club located in a lower tier alert level?

In Tier 3 the government advice is clear that “you should avoid travelling. (you should try to avoid travelling outside the very-high alert level area you are in or entering a very-high alert level area, other than for things like work, education or youth services, to meet caring responsibilities or if you are travelling through as part of a longer journey).”

The Tier 2 advice is that “you can continue to travel to venues or amenities that are open, for work or to access education, but should look to reduce the number of journeys you make where possible”.

I’m just about to open my club and we have been placed in Tier 2/Tier 3. What advice do you have?

We recognise that this is an extremely difficult time for clubs in Tier 2 and Tier 3 areas. Our *current interpretation* of the government guidance is that in Tier 2 and Tier 3 you cannot fence (spar, pair work etc) unless it is with people that you live with or share a support bubble with. Exemptions apply for U18s and disability sport. We encourage clubs to talk to their venues and consider running other types of distanced exercise class activity (eg footwork, strength and conditioning).

BF will be looking at different ways that clubs can still deliver some form of fencing related activity to members, in accordance with government guidelines.

We are also awaiting further guidance from Sport England which may change the advice given above.

The updated BF Return to Fencing Guidance for England can be found here. Please note that for standard club fencing activity groups must still adhere to the ‘rule of six’.

If you have any queries regarding this and other announcements please contact us using this form. Many of the queries we get are answered in our guidance and resources here so we strongly recommend reading this in advance of contacting us.

BF will continue to update our COVID-19 advice here.  You can also subscribe to our new weekly summary email featuring the previous week’s latest news and announcements. Sign up here.