What are the rules for Martial Arts schools

Local Restrictions and Martial Arts schools – what are the new rules?


Read: COVID-19 Winter Plan For Martial Arts Instructors

We have built up good momentum over the last few months with students coming back to class and new students joining. Martial Arts schools have worked hard to become covid compliant and to follow the rules and guidelines set forth by the government.

With the rules becoming more and more regionalised and confusing it can be hard to know where you stand.

We have broken down the rules below so you can continue to be compliant.

Check what tier you fall into with the gov.uk postcode checker.

This is not comprehensive guidance, we have only included the rules related to Martial Arts businesses. Please check gov.uk on NHS resources for more information. 

Links to Offical Guidance and Grants:

England

Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG)
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-your-business-is-eligible-for-a-coronavirus-grant-due-to-national-restrictions-for-closed-businesses

Overview of Business Support Available
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/financial-support-for-businesses-during-coronavirus-covid-19#support-for-the-self-employed

Coronavirus (COVID-19): grassroots sports guidance for safe provision including team sport, contact combat sport and organised sport events

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-grassroots-sports-guidance-for-safe-provision-including-team-sport-contact-combat-sport-and-organised-sport-events

Scotland

Latest Sport and Physical Activity Guidance
https://sportscotland.org.uk/covid-19/latest-sport-and-physical-activity-guidance/

Business Support
https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/coronavirus-advice/sources-of-funding

Wales

Welsh Government Regulations
https://gov.wales/coronavirus-regulations-guidance#section-46351

Welsh Government Organised Activity Guidance
https://gov.wales/guidance-leaving-your-home-and-seeing-other-people-coronavirus#section-55530

Welsh Financial Support and Grants during Covid-19
https://businesswales.gov.wales/coronavirus-advice/support/financial-support-and-grants

N. Ireland

Return to Sports Guidance
http://www.sportni.net/return-to-sport/

Sport Hardship Fund (must meet criteria- up to £2k with additional £1k available- applications reopened on 1st October 2020)
http://www.sportni.net/news/sports-hardship-fund/

Ireland

Ireland is currently at Level 3 of COVID-19 restrictions.

Outdoor training

Non-contact training only in pods of up to 15

Indoor training

Individual training, no exercise or dance classes permitted

COVID-19 Regulations
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/ad569-level-3/

Business Support
https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/types_of_employment /self_employment/supports_for_businesses_covid19.html

How many people can Train Outdoors?


England

Basic Restrictions:
No limit for under 18s.
No limit over 18s and with Covid Secure Measures applied

Additional Local Restrictions
T1
Can continue without limit for under 18s , and for over 18s as long as Covid Secure Measures are in place

T2 Can continue without limit for under 18s, and for over 18s as long as Covid Secure Measures are in place

T3 Can continue without limit for under 18s, and for over 18s as long as Covid Secure Measures are in place. Higher-risk contact activity should not take place

T4 Can continue without limit for under 18s as long as Covid Secure Measures are in place. Higher-risk contact activity should not take place. Over 18s can only be 1-on-1 or within a household/support bubble. You cannot have a full adult class.

Scotland

Tiers 0, 1 & 2 – Everyone can train with social distancing protocols

Tier 3 – Children & adults can train outdoors

Tier 4 – No one can train

Wales

Anyone can play sport or exercise in a group of up to 30 people outdoors, if this is part of an organised activity managed for example by a gym, a leisure centre or a sports club. Coaches and match officials would generally be regarded as participants so the limit should include them. However, anybody who is there to organise or support the activity, if they are working or providing a voluntary service, can also attend and do not need to be considered within the limit. Children aged under 11 are also excluded from the maximum number in the gathering.

N. Ireland

Martial Arts schools are currently closed as part of the lockdown.

How many people can Train Indoors?

Covid Secure Measure inc: Regular Cleaning, space between classes, hygiene

CHECK LOCAL RESTRICTIONS

England

Basic Restrictions: 

One person per 100 sq ft for under 18s as long as there are Covid secure measures in place.
One person per 100 sq ft for over 18s as long as there are Covid Secure Measures in place.

Additional Local Restrictions:

T1 One person per 100 sq ft for under 18s and over 18s as long as there are Covid Secure Measures in place.

T2 One person per 100 sq ft for under 18s and over 18s as long as there are Covid Secure Measures in place.

T3 Under 18 ONLY and must have Covid Secure Measures in place. Guidelines state that “Group exercise activities and sports indoors should not take place, unless with household or bubble. Organised activities for elite athletes, under 18s and disabled people can continue”

T4 National Lockdown rules apply. No training for any age group – all training must be online.

Scotland

Tiers 0, 1 & 2 – Everyone can train with social distancing protocols

Tier 3 – Only under 18s indoors – adults outdoors

Tier 4 – No one can train

Wales

Anyone can play sport or exercise in a group of up 15 people indoors, if this is part of an organised activity managed for example by a gym, a leisure centre or a sports club. Coaches and match officials would generally be regarded as participants so the limit should include them. However, anybody who is there to organise or support the activity, if they are working or providing a voluntary service, can also attend and do not need to be considered within the limit. Children aged under 11 are also excluded from the maximum number in the gathering.

Maximum 15 adults in a class, unlimited under 11s until max capacity is reached

N. Ireland

Martial Arts schools are currently closed as part of the lockdown.

At what Distance Can Students Train Outdoors?

Mitigations inc: No contact, no face to face training

England

Basic Restrictions if training is allowed: 

2 meters best practise but 1 metre plus mitigations if 2 cannot be achieved.

Scotland

Basic Restrictions: 

2 meters best practise but 1 metre plus mitigations if 2 cannot be achieved.

Wales

Basic Restrictions: 

2 meters best practise but 1 metre plus mitigations if 2 cannot be achieved.

N. Ireland

Martial Arts schools are currently closed as part of the lockdown.

At what Distance Can Students Train Indoors?

Covid Secure Measures inc: no face to face mat work, no contact, ventilation, cleaning, hygene, spectator rule of 6, risk assessments

England

Basic Restrictions if training is allowed:

1 person for every 100 sq ft with Covid Secure Measures in place.

Scotland

Basic Restrictions: 

2 meters best practise but 1 metre plus mitigations if 2 cannot be achieved.

Wales

Basic Restrictions: 

2 meters best practise but 1 metre plus mitigations if 2 cannot be achieved.

N. Ireland

Martial Arts schools are currently closed as part of the lockdown.

Are Masks Required for Outdoor Training?


England

Basic Restrictions if training is allowed:

No masks required – training and exercise are exempt. Instructors should wear a face shield as best practise if facing the class. Spectator should be asked to wear masks.

Scotland

Info coming soon

Wales

Info coming soon

N. Ireland

Martial Arts schools are currently closed as part of the lockdown.

Are Masks required for Indoor Training?


England

Basic Restrictions if training is allowed:

No masks required for training students.
Masks for entry and exit of lesson only. Face shield for Instructors. Spectators should be asked to wear masks.

Scotland

Info coming soon

Wales

Info coming soon

N. Ireland

Martial Arts schools are currently closed as part of the lockdown.

Is Contact Training Permitted?


England

NO CONTACT AT ALL EVER
Outdoor and indoor training same applies – no contact including pads and weapons

Scotland

NO CONTACT AT ALL EVER
Outdoor and indoor training same applies – no contact including pads and weapons

Wales

Martial Arts schools are currently closed as part of the lockdown.

N. Ireland

Martial Arts schools are currently closed as part of the lockdown.

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