Having a Covid Officer for your club
To help club and community organisations return to safe sport, it is now a requirement for them to have a named Covid Officer.
The creation of this important role is one of the major updates to be included in the latest Scottish Government advice; and as such we have summarised the main duties below.
This role is just one of the measures, designed to keep everyone safe in these new times.
The purpose of the Covid Officer role is:
- To be the main point of contact for your club on all things related to Coronavirus (COVID19)
- Oversee public health and safety measures across the club
- Ensure documented risk assessments and all appropriate mitigations are put in place before any activity is undertaken
- Ensure an accurate record of all attendees in line with Scottish Government Test & Protect
It’s envisaged that this could be a role for a new volunteer, or added to a current role within the club such as the club secretary.
It’s important to note that the responsibilities can be divided up for larger clubs (although there should still only be ONE named officer) In addition, clubs do not have to carry out their own separate risk assessments; they just have to be comfortable with those put in place by the rink.
Scottish Curling have appointed our own Covid Officer, Development Manager Maggie Wilson.
Maggie says:
‘This is a unique and challenging time for our sport and I’m hopeful that as a curling community we can have a safe and enjoyable return to curling. Through the summer Scottish Curling have worked to put together robust guidance for the return to the ice whilst the facilities have been carrying out the relevant risk assessments and putting mitigations in place. The Covid Officers will add another level of reassurance to our members that as a curling community we are working together to make taking to the ice as safe as possible.’
As outdoor sport resumed earlier this summer, Scottish Curling took the opportunity to chat to Meigle Cricket Club Covid Officer, Denis Christie.
Denis says:
‘I would say things are going well in accordance with the guidelines that were issued by Cricket Scotland. The main duties of the Covid Officer is to make sure everyone who attends has read and understood what is required of them. When people arrive it’s just ensuring they adhere to social distancing as appropriate for their ages and making sure it is maintained during the session. It’s not too arduous at all, as after the first session everyone understands what’s required of them and things flow better.’
Full responsibilities and links to the online training for Covid Officers can be found here.
Further information on Covid Officers will be sent to club secretaries in due course.
