Covid - 19 : Return to Indoor Training Guidance

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COVID 19 - Action Plan 

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The following COVID action plan has been adapted from the guidance from the English Karate Federation for a safe return to indoor training.

The principle aim of this guidance is to safeguard against the potential spread of the COVID 19 virus whilst allowing for a phased return to full karate training. It will be updated as and when new information is received.

It must be noted that the club is also be obliged to follow any further regulations that are required by any facility they might use. This guidance should be followed in conjunction with any such requirements.

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Please note we are currently in PHASE ONE

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THE PHASES

PHASE ONE

A return to non contact training with social distancing compliance, along with a number of safety measure as prescribed in this guide.

PHASE TWO

Allowing the use of equipment such as makiwara, strike pads, and limited partner work.

PHASE THREE

Return to full, regular training.

PHASE FOUR

Return to Competition.

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PHASE ONE

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1. PREPARATION & PLANNING

The club will ensure the following:

• All parents or carers of members under the age of 18 must explicitly provide in writing their permission for their child to return to training.

• Anybody over the age of 11 should wear a face covering when entering the building unless they have exemption. This should be removed before training starts.

• Safe and orderly entry and exit to the dojo observing social distancing protocols. Participants should queue outside at appropriate social distance. They should not enter the dojo until invited. Members are to wait xxx and should use the marks on the floor to observe 2m social distancing. 

• Mandatory Health check on arrival. Each person will be temperature checked and a simple health check questionnaire will be completed asking if the participant has experienced any illness since the previous session. Should a member report having any symptoms of COVID 19, then they will not be allowed to train and must report immediately to the NHS for a formal test. Instructors will make a clear note of such an occurrence.

• The front door is to be used as an Entrance only. The push-to-exit bar will be engaged once all members are inside to avoid unauthorised entry into the building.

• Exit from the hall will be via the right-hand fire exit (this is marked Exit Only).

• The dojo will have clear markings where each person should stand. Each mark will cover 3x3 metres square. The member should occupy the middle of that square. This is to ensure that adequate distance is maintained at all times even during practice. It is possible for a member to occupy other parts of their allocated space, but all members in the class must occupy the same space within their allocated area, which maintain social distancing. The instructor will constantly observe that social distancing is maintained throughout training.

• Cleansing gel needs to be used before and after practice. Dispensers can be found in the foyer and in the training hall.

• On entry a member must sanitise their hands and be directed to a designated marked position and wait for the session to begin. Belongings may be stored at the edges of the hall at 2 metres distance from others. This may be particularly challenging for our younger members who must be constantly monitored. A full explanation will help to maintain this.

• Members should arrive changed and ready. It is anticipated that changing rooms will not be open. There should be no changing in toilets, or the dojo. 

• Members should avoid using the communal facilities as much as possible. Bringing your own pre-filled drinks will help prevent the use of shared taps and using the toilet before arrival will also help.

• The hall capacity for a COVID secure environment is 15 and sessions may be pre booked if the instructor anticipates class numbers will be close to this number

• Parents or anyone else not participating in the training will not be allowed in the hall.

• Payments for sessions will be contactless. (NOT applicable for general training sessions at AKA)

• A record of contact details of all those that attend sessions (including spectators) must be kept to assist the governments track and trace programmes. The club is legally obliged to ensure they have this information. Members must be advised of this record, and that they do not have a choice to ‘opt-out’ of this obligatory requirement.

• The dojo must be ventilated as best as possible with doors and windows open at all time, unless otherwise directed by the facility provider.

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2. TRAINING & PRACTICE

• Only NON CONTACT training is allowed at this time. Though some family groups could practice with contact, this should not happen in ‘public’ sessions as it will give the wrong impression.

• Drilling in moving lines (like marching) is only allowed if participants are in a single rank, and have clear ‘lanes’ to move up and down. There must be no entry into another person’s marked space at any time.

• Appropriate shoes should be worn at all times. Bare feet present significant risk of transmission to the dojo surface through perspiration. Members will bring a clean pair of gym shoes to wear during practice. Members are not allowed to train in sock (or similar) as this present number of risk such as slipping, as well as being unhygienic.

• No Ki-ai. Forcefully driving air from the body (as in shouting) increases the risk of droplets being spread, and would require greater social distance between participants as well potentially infecting surfaces around the members.

• Face covering are not compulsory at this time, but consideration must be given to their use.

• Sharing of any equipment is prohibited.

• Instructors will refrain from guiding, or touching any members limb during practice.

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3. POST TRAINING

At the end or between classes:

• Members must leave the dojo in an orderly and organised fashion. They must leave as they arrived, and change at home.

• All members are advised to immediately shower on returning to home.

• All members MUST clean their training clothes (gi) between sessions.

• Any congregating of people must be away from the dojo and outside, whilst maintaining Social Distancing protocols. The social aspects of a club should not be under-estimated as it contributes to over- all well-being of members, but these activities must be conducted in line with government guidance.

• There must be no hugging or embracing between members at any point, but especially after a session when members are likely to have been perspiring.

• If between sessions, all touched surfaces must be cleaned using an appropriate steriliser.

• As is usual in a traditional dojo, no drinking or eating is allowed in the dojo or entrance areas.

• There must be no shared use of drinking bottles at any time.

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4. GENERAL HEALTH & SAFETY

All members should be aware of the ‘Catch it. Bin it. Kill it.’ campaign to help reduce flu infections.

All Safe-Guarding, child protections, and vulnerable adults protocols remain in place.

In an Emergency such as a Serious Accident or Fire, people do not have to stay 2 meters apart if it would be unsafe or present a risk to life to do so.

 

PHASE TWO

TBC

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PHASE THREE

TBC

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PHASE FOUR

TBC

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Version dated [1.0 ] 31st July 2020