Update of Return to Curling Guidelines – October 2nd
We have updated our guidance document to version 7, as planned, following yesterday’s briefing from the First Minister.
The briefing did not impact the sport of curling directly.
Our changes are mostly to provide greater clarity around participant numbers, bubbles and sweeping.
The new version can be seen on our COVID page here.
In addition to our Return to Curling guidance, you can also find ice rink opening dates and competition updates on this page.
It’s important to set the guidance in context, in that the Scottish Government recognises playing and enjoying sport has a positive and uplifting effect on our mental health and general wellbeing. Therefore, when you step onto the field of play (the ice) some of the general population restrictions (such as limit on households meeting) can be relaxed for the duration of the activity.
To ensure the safety of participants while restrictions are relaxed, each sport must have its Return to Sport guidance approved by sportscotland prior to publishing to ensure sufficient mitigations to limit the spread of COVID-19 have been put in place.
30 person Limit
The previous version of Return to Curling made reference to a 30 person limit, but it has since been confirmed that the Scottish Government guidance on a 30 person limit refers only to outdoor contact sports.
Therefore, the 30-person limit does not apply to curling.
This is because the numbers for indoor sports are based on risk assessments at facilities that consider a wide range of factors. This includes physical space, pinch points, ventilation, volume of air per person, cleaning, access to changing areas. Our work with ice rinks has informed our decision making and setting of participant limits to be applied across the country so curling can return safely.
Field of Play Bubbles
The Field of Play Bubble is a concept that will help contact tracing through Test & Protect. For curling we have defined that each sheet is a Field of Play Bubble (with a maximum of nine people).
Our revised guidance now states that curlers can play in more than one bubble per day, which means they can participate in multiple sessions per day. Curlers should, however, only visit one ice rink per day. In competitions where curlers will play more than one other team, this should be kept to a minimum, with pools of no more than eight teams. Remaining within these limits while participating in curling will limit the potential spread of COVID-19.
Sweeping behind the tee line
Our most recent update clarifies that only one player from the throwing team is permitted to sweep during each shot. The updated guidance does however allow for that player to sweep stones behind the tee line.
Finally, it is worth noting that sport is a devolved matter and so any announcements made by UK Government do not apply in Scotland.
Scottish Curling CEO, Bruce Crawford:
‘We are delighted that several ice rinks are now open and curling is being enjoyed once again. This guidance will continue to evolve and we encourage all curlers to keep up to date with the government advice’
We will continue to update our guidance on a three weekly basis, or when the Scottish Government or First Minister changes the regulations, and wish all members a safe return to the ice.
