Covid-19 18th August additional guidelines update

The government announced a series of new measures to help combat the spread of Covid-19 today. A number of these require some adjustments to our current Orwell approach in order to ensure club activities remain within the letter and spirit of the guidelines that are now in place immediately until the 13th of September.

Over the last number of weeks, it’s been great to so many club members enjoying training spins and taking part in events in line with guidelines and we are fortunate that the latest revisions still allow us all fulfil our love of cycling during the remainder of the summer and early autumn months.

All existing club guidelines communicated continue with the following additions until 13 September, at the earliest:

All training spins are limited to 15 people maximum outdoors. Our club policy is training spins should never have in excess of 12 and this continues to be our club position.

There will be a strict avoidance of social gatherings before and after training / events which reinforces the Orwell 2,2,2 Rule. The implication of this is that the coffee stops need to be carefully managed with no more than 15 people from the club gathered together outdoors and a maximum of 6 sitting together indoors. This also assumes that social distancing and hygiene standards are in place at the venue.

Outdoor events and social gatherings are now limited to 15 people maximum and this needs to be factored into all leisure spins, training spins and events.

All sporting events now take place behind closed doors so spectators are not permitted at any events organised. Racing/league or other events must carefully manage participants to ensure that only those taking part in a race can be present. Participants must only arrive just before their event and leave immediately on completing their race / event in order to adhere to the no spectator guideline.

Cycling in or through counties Laois, Kildare and Offaly is still prohibited and once this is reviewed an update will be issued. The restriction on these 3 counties has now been removed.

For all club members and especially those over 70 participating in club training or events remains a personal choice and for some members cycling in the same small network is worth consideration.

We appreciate this has been an unusual and challenging summer for everyone and its hard to believe how much our love of cycling, being with friends and fellow club members and love of the great outdoors has changed this summer but with everyone’s support and cooperation we hope better times are ahead. We really appreciate the efforts that everyone in the club continues to make to ensure Orwell continues to make such a positive contribution to the reputation of cycling as a responsible sport at a club and national level.

The Covid-19 Committee