BG advice on Coronavirus
We have been sent the following advice on Coronavirus by our governing body, British Gymnastics. We will be following their advice.
Dear Club,
As you are aware the UK Government has recently published its action plan on containing the possible spread of the coronavirus.
The coronavirus (COVID-19) is a type of virus that can affect humans and animals and can cause illness similar to the common cold or possibly more serious respiratory illness.
Our guidance
We advise clubs and members who have concerns about coronavirus to read and follow the current advice published by the UK Government. This advice is updated regularly and includes the latest information about the virus, preventing spread of infection, the current risk level, advice for and about returning travellers and what to do if you believe you have symptoms associated with the virus. The Government’s current advice is available online and you can access it by clicking one of the following links.
NHS information about risks, symptoms and avoiding the spread of the virus
Travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office
Department of Health & Social Care latest information & advice
Individual health advice is available by calling NHS 111. In Scotland phone your GP or NHS 24 on 111 out of hours.
Advice and resources for clubs – preventing the spread of COVID-19
As with any other illness, all those involved in gymnastics in the UK are encouraged to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and avoid catching it by following Public Health England and NHS guidance. Information on how to do this is provided on the NHS website with additional information available on the Public Health England blog.
For clubs and partners offering community and leisure services, we support the Government advice that hand hygiene should be strongly promoted and encouraged, and equipment and facilities should be thoroughly cleaned and wiped down as usual following use. Materials including posters from Public Health England’s campaign to help stop the spread of viruses can be downloaded from their resources website. You can download their current print friendly coronavirus poster here. Below are some more resources from the NHS that may be useful for you to print and display at your club and share with your members.
How to wash your hands – guidance
Catch it, bin it, kill it – poster
Handwash – poster
Position on British Gymnastics events
We do not plan to postpone or cancel any more competitions or events, but we are regularly reviewing government advice and liaising with the venue operators. This includes Arena Birmingham for the Gymnastics World Cup and the M&S Bank Arena for the Gymnastics British Championships. If your club is hosting a competition or festival in the near future, we would advise you follow the guidance set out by the UK Government.
Further updates
All of our guidance is published on our website here. This page will be updated if any of our guidance changes or more information becomes available.
Kind regards,
Simon Evans Community Services Director