version: 28 March 2021
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UKPSA Covid-19 Guidance for Affiliated Clubs and Members – Updated 28th March 2021
This guidance is for UKPSA members and affiliated shooting clubs, who must comply with the government legislation on Coronavirus (Covid-19) relevant to their country. As a guiding principle if an activity cannot be undertaken safely, and in compliance with the legislation it should not take place.
The following general advice should always be followed.
Individuals – need to take personal responsibility and only engage in the sport as a participant or an official if they feel they are safe and comfortable to do so. Self-isolation – If you have any of the Covid-19 symptoms you must stay at home and arrange to have a test to see if you have COVID-19. If you have been officially advised to self-isolate or have been advised you have Covid-19 you must not attend a range or UKPSA event.
Person at increased risk (shielding) – anyone who is at increased risk of severe illness from Covid-19 is advised to take especial care and should be mindful of social distancing measures and personal mitigation during sporting activities.
Note: The UK government have stated that Covid-19 advice does not supersede normal health and safety legislation.
Any range or venue not complying with the relevant authority may be subject to legal enforcement and individuals may face criminal prosecution. Shooting clubs and venues operating during the Coronavirus pandemic should ensure they are operating safely, are protecting their users and operators, and are minimising the risk of spread of infection.
Shooting practice and competition
Where it is legal and safe to do so the following four step process must be followed.
- Carry out a risk assessment
Before any venue is first used for shooting or competition the club should carry out a risk assessment to evaluate the risks and decide what actions are required to ensure safe use. There is a template and specific Covid-19 advice on the HSE website Members should comply with the legislation and for sanctioned UKPSA matches a copy of the risk assessment must be provided to the Range Master in advance of the event.
Individuals should carry out their own personal risk assessment based upon their specific circumstances and that of their family or extended bubble. We are keen that those who wish to participate in our sport should be able to do this, but no member should be penalised if they choose not to take part until they feel safe to do so. - Prepare the range/venue
Considering the relevant government legislation, UKPSA guidance and your risk assessment prepare the shooting venue so that members and visitors can park, enter, use the facilities, and exit safely. This should as a minimum include:
• Configuring or re-configuring the entrance, exit and range procedures, to follow the principles of social distancing where practicable.
• Providing easily accessible hand washing facilities with soap and water. If these are not available, then providing hand sanitiser with at least 60% alcohol content.
• The prominent display of warning signs and the amended range rules at the venue entrance and throughout.
• Specific briefing for all club and match officials on acceptable behaviour and shooting practices.
version: 28 March 2021
2 - Amended Range Safety Rules
Prepare and publish range/venue covid-19 instructions that will apply to all users and any specific matches. These should contain guidance on shooting practices (see 4.) for any IPSC shooting disciplines. The rules should be sent to all club and match officials, and members and be posted in a prominent position throughout the venue. Members or competitors failing to comply with the rules should be asked to leave the venue and could face disciplinary action.
As a minimum these should include:
• All new safety measures applied by the club for the specific venue and any matches and how these should be used.
• Any changes to normal range rules or club procedures, for example reduced capacity or hours of operation.
• The conduct required of members, competitors or visitors at the venue including rules about how the maximum number of people permitted to gather in one place is not exceeded.
• A reminder to all members, competitors, and visitors that they must not attend the range if they or their household have Coronavirus symptoms, are within 14 days of the day when the first member of their household showed symptoms of Coronavirus or have been officially notified to self-isolate. - Range procedures for practice and competition (INFORMATION MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
The following is general best practice. Please see specific guidance for each country in Great Britain.
Except where defined mitigation is in place everyone should follow the principles of social distancing in line with current guidance where practicable. For sanctioned UKPSA matches all range procedures and adaptions related to the match and venue must be agreed in advance with the Range Master. Where possible these should be provided in advance to competitors so that they understand what is required and can make their own assessment of whether it is safe to attend considering their own health and circumstances.
The following range procedures are required for club practice /matches and at UKPSA sanctioned matches and training events if covid-19 mitigation is required by law:
• All people attending the range must provide their full name and contact details and the Club/Match Director should maintain a record of which individuals are squadded together on-site to facilitate Track and Trace.
• Clubs, matches or training events may require all participants to complete a self-declaration at commencement and at the end of the day that they are free from Covid-19, or Covid-19 symptoms and have not been officially requested to self-isolate.
• Shooting practice and matches must be designed so that at no point from arrival to leaving there are more than the allowed number of people gathered in one place or squad (until this requirement is lifted). For example pre-designated squads might be directed straight to a specific range to register and told not to mix or engage with people outside their squad. Lunch breaks should be taken as a squad with a suitable distance maintained between squads. Once the competitors have completed a practice session or match, they should leave the venue. Employees/range officials are not generally considered part of the squad but must wear suitable personal protective equipment while carrying out their duties and if indoors or if closer than two metres.
• On arrival all users should thoroughly wash their hands or use hand sanitiser with at least 60% alcohol content. They should be encouraged to do so at frequent intervals (for example after each stage). Facilities for hand washing or hand sanitiser with at least 60% alcohol content must be available on each range/stage.
• Surfaces like firing benches, props, target stands etc. should be cleaned on arrival and regularly. Shared surfaces that cannot be easily cleaned (i.e. matts for prone) should not be used. In enclosed and indoor spaces members and competitors should avoid touching any surfaces.
• Indoor venues and venues with enclosed outdoor spaces may require face coverings to be worn except when an individual is shooting (i.e. there are extractor fans in use and the competitor is facing downrange and away from anyone else).
• Social distancing should be maintained by competitors while waiting to shoot, during the stage briefing and during the walk through.
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• The Range Officer when running a competitor should maintain the normal distance (within an arm’s length) and must wear a suitable face covering (given the other safety equipment required for shooting then a Perspex face shield is recommended). If in an emergency, they are required to touch the competitor they must, once the Range is Clear command has been given, wash or sanitise their hands and disinfect any surfaces.
• The competitor must not touch the range officer or ask them to hold any items (e.g. chamber safety flag, ammunition, firearm etc.).
• Social distancing must be maintained in Safety/Gassing Areas and depending on the size only one person may be permitted to use a Safety/Gassing Area at a time.
• When re-setting, or patching, people should strive to maintain social distancing. Floor markings or designated lanes may be used to help people understand safe distances.
• Only the Range Officer should touch the scoring tablet or clipboard at a match. They will advise the score and time to the competitor who will verbally accept or challenge it without coming closer than two metres.
• Personal gloves may be worn for setting plates or picking up brass. Disposable gloves are not recommended.
• Range equipment like shot timers, tablets, staple guns etc. should not be shared if possible. If this is not possible then they should be sanitised before being used by someone else.
• At a sanctioned match, the repeated failure to comply with the UKPSA guidance or venue/match restrictions, may be treated as Unsportsmanlike Conduct.
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4 - (a) England https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Amateur sporting activity in England must comply with the UK government
Coronavirus (COVID-19): grassroots sports guidance for the public and sport providers.
Steps
UKPSA Guidance
Step 1B
From 29/03/21
• Outdoor sport facilities including ranges can re-open and organised outdoor IPSC sport is permitted following the UKPSA guidance.
• The use of indoor sports facilities other than to use toilets or to access supplies is not permitted.
• You should minimise travel, but you can travel to take part in informal and organised sport, where necessary. You should not stay away from home overnight for sport and physical activity. See advice on safer travel.
• For informal shooting practice covid-secure guidance (Hands – Face – Space) must be followed and a maximum of 6 people may be gathered in one place.
• For organised practice and matches squads may be larger than 6 if all individuals participating follow Covid-secure guidance and any stipulated range rules. Individuals must not mix between squads.
• Range officials, coaches and trainers are not counted as part of a squad or a gathering of 6 people.
• Spectators are not permitted.
Step 2
Provisionally from 12/04/21 – to be confirmed
• As Step 1B
• Indoor sport facilities including ranges can re-open for Individual indoor practice only. No mixing or group practice is permitted.
Step 3
Provisionally from 17/05/21 – to be confirmed
• Outdoor and indoor sport facilities including ranges can open and organised IPSC sport is permitted following UKPSA guidance.
• You can travel to take part in informal and organised sport, where necessary. The use of paid accommodation is permitted.
• For shooting practice covid-secure guidance (Hands – Face – Space) must be followed and a maximum of 6 people may be gathered in one place.
• For a UKPSA outdoor or indoor match squads may be larger than 6 if the event and all individuals participating follow Covid-secure guidance and any stipulated range rules. Individuals must not mix between squads.
• Range officials, coaches and trainers are not counted as part of a squad or a gathering of 6 people.
• Spectators are not permitted.
Step 4
Provisionally from 21/06/21
• Indoor and outdoor IPSC sport is permitted without restrictions but covid-secure guidance may still be required (to be confirmed).
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5 - (b) Scotland
Amateur sporting activity in Scotland must comply with Scottish government guidance. It is anticipated that covid-19 level 3 (modified) will apply from 26/04/21.
UKPSA affiliated clubs and individuals in Scotland should comply with the guidance issued by Scottish Target Shooting which has been agreed in consultation with the Scottish authorities. Please note that the guidance requires that all clubs and events appoint a Covid-19 Officer to ensure compliance and to liaise with the authorities. It is recommended that the designated officer complete the online training module.
The best practice in sections 1, 2, 3 and 4 above should be adapted as required to comply with Scottish government requirements. - (c) Wales
From 27th March individuals can travel inside Wales to engage in outdoor sporting activity and outdoor sports facilities like ranges or shooting grounds can open. Indoor sporting activity is not permitted. Up to a maximum of six people can meet outdoors from no more than two households if covid-secure practices (hands-face-space) are followed.
Further Advice and Guidance
NROI members can contact the NROI Chairman at NROI@UKPSA.org
UKPSA affiliated clubs can contact the Regional Director RD@UKPSA.org or Public Relations Officer PRO@UKPSA.org