Special Olympics Great Britain

RETURN TO ACTIVITY:

Spring 2021 Update

March 2021

CONTENTS

Special Olympics Great Britain | specialolympicsgb.org.uk 2

Introduction 3

Guidance on Returning to Activity and Guiding Principles 4

A Phased-Approach to Easing Restrictions 5

Home Country Government Plan - England 6

Home Country Government Plan - Scotland 7

Home Country Government Plan - Wales 8

Special Olympics GB Timeline for Returning to Activity 9

SOI Vaccination Guidance 12

Compliance 13

Next Steps & Support 14

3

INTRODUCTION

Special Olympics Great Britain | specialolympicsgb.org.uk

Welcome

Firstly, a big thank you for your continued support during these challenging times.

Following our release of the Return to Framework in August 2020, there have been many

challenges and changes in our journey to get our members back to regular activity, including the

introduction of localised restrictions, tier system and ultimately a further National lockdown. With

the upcoming easing of restrictions we hope that we are now able to start activating a route back to

regular activity.

This document is designed to support Special Olympics GB athletes, clubs, coaches, officials and

families in understanding the changes to the original Return to Activity Framework and provide

updates on the compliance measures which need to be met in order for Special Olympics GB

sport, events and training to be conducted as safely as possible.

The updates set out in this document and the accompanying resources are intended to be used

along with the original Return to Activity Framework to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 from

Special Olympics GB organised activities among members, participants, coaches, officials,

administrators/volunteers, visitors, families and the broader community and ultimately provide the

route back to regular Special Olympics GB sport and competition

This update includes, but is not limited to, the conduct and implementation of:

a) Staged training and competition activities (sport operations); and

b) COVID-19 management of illness protocols (including vaccination status)

At all times, Return to Activity is subject to all UK, Home Country, Local Government and public

health authorities laws, regulations and directions, which could change at any given time.

Our guidelines must be considered in line with National Governing Bodies for specific sports along

with the latest regulations, guidelines and directions from all levels of government and public health

authorities.

Please remember, Return to Activity will be different for each sport in each Region. We understand

that this will be a complex process taken with many precautions and appreciate that at times it may

not be possible to implement the guidance exactly as it is set out in the Framework, however, we

must all make a collective effort to follow the guidance as best we can.

The health, safety and wellbeing of our community, especially athletes, will always be at the heart

of everything we do and every decision we make.

If after reading the Return to Activity: Spring 2021 Update (including the associated Resources)

you still have questions you can contact me on laura.davies@sogb.org.uk or 07535 690 944.

Many thanks for your continued support.

Laura Davies

Head of Sport, Competition and Networks

4Special Olympics Great Britain | specialolympicsgb.org.uk

Guidance on COVID-19 Return to Activities

Information on COVID-19 is changing daily. Transmission rates vary across the country. Special

Olympics International, National and Local Government, National Governing Bodies of Sport and

health agencies are developing their own guidance and mandates.

These are intended as minimum guidelines for Special Olympics Great Britain clubs as they

consider returning to activities. It is intended to supplement – not replace – any Governmental

guidance or health and safety laws, rules and regulations with which similar organisations

must comply and as such may change and/or cease at any time.

Additionally, the information in this document is not intended or implied to be a substitute for

professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The knowledge and circumstances around

COVID-19 are changing constantly and, as such, Special Olympics Great Britain makes no

representation and assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of this information.

Further, you should seek advice from medical professionals and/or public health officials if you

have specific questions about symptoms and/or diagnoses related to COVID-19.

Guiding Principles

The Return to Activity Framework is based on the Special Olympics International ‘Return to Activity

protocol’ and, as such, the following updates also follow the same 5 guiding principles:

1. The health and safety of all members of the Special Olympics movement is paramount.

2. Beyond a sports organisation, Special Olympics is a movement for and by people with

intellectual disabilities (ID), and its guidance must be inclusive and directed at the unique needs

and abilities of people with ID.

3. Relevant WHO and country-specific (e.g., UK Government and NHS) guidelines should serve

as minimum standards. In addition, consideration should be given to local and community

authorities in that if there are more conservative/restrictive guidelines, these should be followed.

4. Guidance is based on current medical information available at the time of publication. As

knowledge of COVID-19 is changing rapidly, guidance will continue to evolve.

5. Guidance takes a phased approach that is dependent on local transmission rates as well as

testing/monitoring/contact tracing/health system capacity.

RETURN TO ACTIVITY: SPRING 2021 UPDATE

Special Olympics Great Britain expects all members, participants, coaches,

officials, administrative staff and volunteers to:

• Follow the health directions of Government and public health authorities as issued;

• Understand and act in accordance with this Plan as amended when appropriate;

• Observe any Return to Activity and COVID-19 management protocols and

precautionary measures implemented by Special Olympics Great Britain ;

• Act with honesty and integrity in regard to the state of their personal health and any

potential symptoms; and

• Monitor their health and take a cautious approach to self-isolation and reporting of

potential symptoms.

5Special Olympics Great Britain | specialolympicsgb.org.uk

RETURN TO ACTIVITY: SPRING 2021 UPDATE

A Phased Approach

In line with Special Olympics International protocols and the UK Government advice, Special

Olympics Great Britain will adopt a phased approach to return to activity focusing on athlete and

volunteer readiness, compliance and practical delivery of sport sessions .

It is important to note there may be times a community will revert to an earlier phase if and

when a spread of infection rises in the future.

World Health Organisation Criteria for Easing Restrictions

The World Health Organisation has released six conditions to consider when assessing whether it is

safe to ease restrictions following COVID-19 Lockdown:

1. Disease transmission is under control

2. Health systems are able to "detect, test, isolate and treat every case and trace every contact"

3. Hot spot risks are minimized in vulnerable places, such as nursing homes

4. Schools, workplaces and other essential places have established preventive measures

5. The risk of importing new cases "can be managed"

6. Communities are fully educated, engaged and empowered to live under a new normal

In the following pages we have identified the current plans that the Governments of Special

Olympics GB’s Home Countries have laid out for the easing of restrictions, particularly relating to

Sport.

At the point of publication there is no further detail around this.

6Special Olympics Great Britain | specialolympicsgb.org.uk

RETURN TO ACTIVITY: SPRING 2021 UPDATE

Step 1:

• ‘Rule of 6’ re-introduced to meet outdoors socially

• Outdoor sports facilities to reopen

o Facilities, such as tennis and basketball courts, and swimming pools, can

be used by people in line with the wider social contact limits.

o Formally organised outdoor sports – for adults and under 18s - can also

restart and will not be subject to the gatherings limits, but should be

compliant with guidance issued by national governing bodies.

Step 2: Implemented no earlier than 5 weeks after Step 1

• Continuation of ‘Rule of 6’ re-introduced to meet outdoors socially

• Indoor leisure (including gyms) open for use individually or within household

groups

• Community centres open

• All children’s activities, indoor parent & child groups (up to 15 parents)

Step 3: Implemented no earlier than 5 weeks after Step 2

• ‘Rule of 6’ to be reviewed with groups of 30 being able to meet socially

outdoors.

o the Government will further ease limits on social contact, enabling the

public to make informed personal decisions. It will remain important for

people to consider the risks for themselves, taking into account whether

they and those they meet have been vaccinated or are at greater risk.

Step 4: Implemented no earlier than 5 weeks after Step 3

• Remove limits on social contact

• Larger events to be re-introduced with guidance on reducing risk of COVID-

19 transmission

England:The dates below are the earliest dates set by the UK Government will be easing the associated

restrictions in England. Please note that these are subject to change and under continuous review.

Sport England has released guidance to support the return of sport under the Roadmap and has

produced a supporting FAQ document. In line with previous guidance there is an exemption to

restrictions for disabled people returning to structured sport and activity. The benefits of sport and

activity for disabled people are widely acknowledged and participation is encouraged ensuring that f

guidance is followed and caution is maintained, particularly for individuals that are considered ‘high

risk’.

7Special Olympics Great Britain | specialolympicsgb.org.uk

RETURN TO ACTIVITY: SPRING 2021 UPDATE

Scotland:

Scottish Government does not currently provide fixed dates for the easing of restrictions and

continue to work through the previously implemented 0-4 Level system. They have set out the

conditions that need to be met to start lifting restrictions in a safe way and detail the broad order of

priority for re-opening,

Please see below outline from Sport Scotland of each of the levels and their corresponding

restriction levels for sport participation:

Scottish Government has begun the process of reviewing the easing of restrictions for Level 4 and

will be providing further information over the coming weeks.

8Special Olympics Great Britain | specialolympicsgb.org.uk

RETURN TO ACTIVITY: SPRING 2021 UPDATE

Wales:

Much like the Scottish Government, Welsh Government continues to utilise the previously

implemented 1-4 Alert Level system.

Alert Level Restrictions for Sport

1 • Essential community service remain open

• Sport courts, golf courses, leisure facilities and organised activities

limited to public and voluntary services remain open

• Organised indoor activities (up to 50 people).

• Organised outdoor activities (up to 100 people)

2 • Essential community service remain open

• Sport courts, golf courses, leisure facilities and organised activities

limited to public and voluntary services remain open

• Organised indoor activities (up to 15 people).

• Organised outdoor activities (up to 30 people)

3 • Essential community service remain open

• Sport courts, golf courses, leisure facilities and organised activities

limited to public and voluntary services remain open

• Organised indoor activities (up to 15 people).

• Organised outdoor activities (up to 30 people)

4 • Outdoor exercise with household, support bubble, or with people from

one other household, as long as the total number of people exercising

is no more than 4 (excluding any carers or children under 11 from

either of those households).

• Essential community service remain open

• Sport courts, golf courses, leisure facilities and organised activities

limited to public and voluntary services closed

Welsh Government has begun the process of reviewing the easing of restrictions, moving out of

Level 4 to Level 3 and will be providing further information over the coming weeks.

9Special Olympics Great Britain | specialolympicsgb.org.uk

SPECIAL OLYMPICS GB RETURN TO ACTIVITY TIMELINE

1 March 2021

15 March

2021 5 April 2021 5 July 2021

10Special Olympics Great Britain | specialolympicsgb.org.uk

SPECIAL OLYMPICS GB RETURN TO ACTIVITY PHASES

0

Stay at home order in

place for all

individuals.

UK/Home

Country/Local

Government

Lockdown

No events or activities

of any sort to be held

in person.

1

Stay at home order is

lifted

Restrictions on numbers

of people that can meet

socially and in

structured/organised

activity eased.

Please note, guidance

differs between home

countries

HIGH RISK

INDIVIDUALS should

continuing to follow

Governmental / Medical advice

2

Restrictions on numbers

of people that can meet

socially and in

structured/organised

activity eased further

Please note, guidance

differs between home

countries

HIGH RISK

INDIVIDUALS should

continuing to follow

Governmental /

Medical advice

3 - 4

Few/No restrictions on

numbers of people

that can meet socially

and in

structured/organised

activity

Please note, illness

management

protocols should still

be reviewed and

implemented

HIGH RISK

INDIVIDUALS should

continuing to follow

Governmental /

Medical advice

• No events or

activities of any sort

to be held in person.

• Individual sport

training sessions in

own home using own

equipment.

• Coaching occurs

virtually.

• Fitness and Health

programming offered

virtually or at home.

• Meetings,

conferences or

trainings to be held

virtually.

• Local Training for

outdoor and low risk

indoor sports

(facilities permitting)

and leadership

events/meetings in

line with Home

Country Guidance

MAY resume (See

Sport Guidance)

providing

Management of

illness protocol is

followed

• National Governing

Body guidance

should be followed –

See Sport Guidance

• Virtual programming

and resources

should be made

available for those

not able to attend in

person.

• Local Training for

ALL SPORTS

(facilities permitting)

and leadership

events/ meetings

MAY resume (See

Sport Guidance)

providing

Management of

illness protocol is

followed

• National Governing

Body guidance

should be followed –

See Sport Guidance

• Virtual programming

and resources

should be made

available for those

not able to attend in person.

• Training reintroduced

with no capacity

restrictions

• Local and Regional

Competitions

reintroduced

(providing individuals

are traveling from

multiple geographic

areas who are in

same phase) MAY

potentially occur, if

permitted by WHO,

country and local

standards.

• Virtual programming

should still be made

available for those

not able to attend in

person.

High Risk and Vulnerable Groups

The UK Government and Special Olympics International guidance on returning to activity

specifically note that those that are at higher risk of contracting COVID-19 may be at increased

risk in a return to community sport.

UK Government (updated 25 February 2021) - Guidance

Special Olympics International (updated 2 July 2020): Guidance

Any individuals that are considered to be at a high risk should consider a delayed return to activity

and continue to follow Governmental / Medical advice

Consideration should also be given to participants that may be considered ‘High Risk’ due to

behavioural challenges and understanding of and/or ability to adhere to physical distancing and

hygiene measures.

11Special Olympics Great Britain | specialolympicsgb.org.uk

AWARENESS OF HIGH RISK AND VULNERABLE GROUPS

Participation Risk Awareness and Acknowledgement

Prior to returning to any in-person Special Olympics Great Britain activities in Phases 1 through to

2, all participants are required to review the COVID-19 guidance and protocols and must complete

and return a COVID-19 Code of Conduct and Health Form which provides information and

guidance on assessing risk and acknowledges that participation could increase risk of contracting

or spreading COVID-19.

If participants have tested positive, been diagnosed with COVID-19 and/or had someone in their

household that has contracted COVID-19, the participant should follow NHS guidance and

complete a COVID-19 Health Form and Code of Conduct prior to returning to sport or fitness

activities.

Special Olympics regions/clubs should ensure they regularly discuss illness management

protocols and explore potential COVID-19 exposure with their members

Special Olympics regions/clubs should ensure that all participants (e.g. athletes, unified

partners, coaches, volunteers, staff, and families) are educated about those that are at

higher risk of complications from COVID-19 as well as all procedures and expectations for

return to activities.

Special Olympics International:

Special Olympics International strongly recommends that all National Programmes continue to follow

the Return to Activities Protocols, distributed in July 2020, upon which the Special Olympics GB

Return to Activity Framework is based.

At this time, SOI is also not recommending National Programmes require vaccination for participants

to return to local activities. Any requirements and/or additional guidance from local and national

authorities should be followed.

SOI is participating in active discussions with the World Health Organization (WHO), the US Centers

for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sport federations as well as Programs’ recommendations

on vaccination and will continue to monitor, evaluate, and evolve the guidance as appropriate.

Special Olympics International has created a series of COVID-19 Vaccination Resources that

Regions/Clubs, Athletes and Volunteers may find helpful:

12Special Olympics Great Britain | specialolympicsgb.org.uk

COVID-19 VACCINATION – SOI POSITION

COVID-19

Vaccine

FAQs

COVID-19 Vaccine Info

Printable Poster

COVID-19 Vaccine

Myths vs Facts

Infographic

Special Olympics Great Britain | specialolympicsgb.org.uk 13

RETRUN TO ACTIVITY COMPLIANCE

Prior to Returning to Activity, each club and region

must:

• Complete and submit Return to Activity Compliance Form confirming:

• Appointment a Club/Regional COVID-19 Coordinator

• Completed Return to Activity Risk Assessment

• Updated Active Member Register - Please use the latest version

submitted as part of Accreditation/Accreditation Fee changes

• Estimated date of restart per Sport/session

• Check localised lockdown restrictions permit activity to restart

• Ensure ALL Athletes and Volunteers have received relevant resources

for illness management

• Ensure ALL Athletes and Volunteers have understood and agree to

follow the appropriate COVID-19 Return to Activity protocols (via

COVID-19 Health Form and Code of Conduct) to ensure safety and

wellness when taking part in activity

• Receive approval from Special Olympics GB National Office Team to

proceed

If you have already completed the compliance requirements as a part of a previous return to regular

activity, please review, make any necessary updates (including changes to restart dates) and

confirm with the Sport, Competition and Network Team who will review again and approve for you.

Special Olympics GB activity sessions are only able to be approved to resume if:

• The Region/Club has completed Accreditation for 2021 (including payment of any outstanding

fees)

• The activity is led and supported by ‘Active’ registered Volunteers - Should there be any changes

required to the Active Member Register these will need to be made ahead of the activity restart.

This is to ensure that all activity is meeting the relevant requirements for safeguarding as well as

to be covered by the Special Olympics license and insurance

In line with Special Olympics International rules - Special Olympics Competitions from Local –

International level are for ‘Active’ registered athletes only. Please consider this when amending

Active Member Registers within Return to Activity particularly in relation to the timeline to return to

competition.

Return to Competition Protocols including an updated sanctioning process are being developed and

shall be released in the coming weeks

Special Olympics Great Britain | specialolympicsgb.org.uk 14

RETURN TO ACTIVITY NEXT STEPS

Hopefully this document along with the Framework and it’s the associated

Resources have provided you with the information you need to make

preparations to Return to Activity.

We will be offering opportunities for you to ask any questions and to

provide you with any further information you need in the coming weeks.

Should you have any urgent queries or require support, please contact the

Sport, Competition and Network Team:

Laura Davies

Head of Sport, Competition &

Networks*

Email: laura.davies@sogb.org.uk

Mobile: + 44 (0) 7535 690 944

Tom Casson

Network Development Manager*

Email: tom.casson@sogb.org.uk

Mobile: +44 (0) 7814094950

Afsheen Panjalizadeh

Competition Manager

Email:

afsheen.Panjalizadeh@sogb.org.uk

Mobile: +44 (0) 7859768631

Adam Leathwood

Network Development Manager

(Safeguarding)

Email:

adam.Leathwood@sogb.org.uk

Mobile: +44 (0) 7859 770 553

Special Olympics Great Britain | specialolympicsgb.org.uk 15

RETURN TO ACTIVITY & OTHER RESOURCES

Special Olympics GB Compliance Resources:

Return to Activity Compliance Form

Health and Code of Conduct Form

Risk Assessment Template

For Active Member Registers – Please update your recently completed

Active Member Register that was submitted as part of Accreditation.

Special Olympics International - Return to Activities during

COVID-19 Resources