Covid restrictions – how they will affect curling
We have been working alongside partners at sportscotland and in government, seeking clarity on the impact to curling after the First Minister’s statement to Holyrood yesterday.
Some of the points have now been confirmed, and we’d like to take this opportunity to share the following information.
The temporary measures are planned to last for 16 days starting for licensed premises at 18:00 on Friday 9th October and at 00:01 Saturday 10th October for all other restrictions (including curling).
The restrictions will last until Sunday 25th October inclusive.
The Health board areas are:
- Greater Glasgow & Clyde
- Lanarkshire
- Ayrshire & Arran
- Lothian
- Forth Valley
This impacts on the following ice rinks, (*denotes not currently open) in those areas:
- Auchenharvie*
- Ayr
- East Kilbride*
- Galleon
- Greenacres
- Lanarkshire
- Murrayfield
- Stirling (Peak)
- Waterfront*
The new restrictions in the five health board areas that will be introduced for the period 9-25 October, will mean that curling activity is significantly restricted for participants aged 18 and over.
As a result facilities may not be in a position to remain open during this period.
Some facilities may choose to offer curling to limited groups, alongside skating. In summary the restrictions for the affected rinks are as follows:
- No group exercise classes for indoor gyms and sports courts, pools (exemption for under 18s).
- This means no curling for people age 18+ (unless the group is max 6 people from max 2 households).
- Having consulted the affected ice rinks, this may make curling activity non-viable so each rink will decide whether to close for the 16 day period.
- We will continue to publish the latest information on the covid section of our website here
- Current meeting rules, maximum of six people from two households, continue to apply
- All licensed premises will be required to close, with the exception of takeaway services
- Cafés will be able to open between 6am and 6pm
- Takeaways (including from pubs and restaurants) can continue
We will be communicating with those ice rinks in the central belt separately to see how we can support their case. Earlier this week our CEO Bruce Crawford wrote to sportscotland requesting financial aid from the Scottish Government, if restrictions were to be brought in that would effectively close ice rinks. We will continue to lobby for the sector and those affected in particular but recognise that the worsening public health situation has affected all ice rinks.
For the rest of the country, in all other health board areas, the existing Return to Curling Guidance and local venue specific advice should be followed. New restrictions have been brought in for food and drink from 6pm on Friday 9 October:
- Hospitality (food and drink): all premises may only open indoors between 6am and 6pm, with no sales of alcohol
- Hospitality (food and drink): premises may open outdoors until 10pm, with sales of alcohol (where licensed)
- Takeaways (including from pubs and restaurants) can continue
- Current meeting rules, maximum of six people from two households, continue to apply when not playing sport
Scottish Curling understands the frustration experienced by some members, we are committed to working with our partners for the safe return of sport. However, recent figures serve as a timely reminder that the virus has not gone away and we understand the very difficult decisions taken by Government as it continues to deal with the evolving situation.
We will continue to do everything we can to support ice rinks in Scotland by lobbying government and fighting for the sport.
If you want to speak to Bruce call on 07841 880 548 or one of our staff – their numbers are all listed on our website.
Thank you for your continued understanding.
