Covid guidance from official sources
The headline information now is that for the purpose of private outdoor exercise you can travel five miles outside your local authority.
Only 2 people from 2 separate households can meet outdoors for sport, exercise or social interaction.
This gives a reasonable area: map
Edinburgh Council area map
The Edinburgh local authority area is bounded by the Queensferry Crossing in the north west, Portobello in the east and the A720 ring road in the south up to Hillend where the city area then includes the north side of the Pentlands above Balerno. Ratho and Kirkliston are in the area.
In addition the previous guidelines still apply:
General advice across all mountain activities
Mountaineering Scotland advice
• Be COVID aware:
o For adults and young people over 12, physical distancing of 2m is recommended with anyone that is not part of your household.
o Adults can meet with up to one person from one other household outdoors daily, observing physical distancing.
o Carry out a risk assessment for your proposed activity in advance and consider safety first. For an example risk assessment see here:
www.mountaineering.scot/assets/contentfiles/pdf/Risk-Assessment-summer-activities.pdf
o Think about where you want to go and how you will get there and back again.
o Prepare to be flexible and have alternative locations in mind if your chosen destination is busy or crowded – car parks in popular locations in the Pentland may be busy, or even closed.
o Toilets, shops and cafes be closed, so don’t rely on them – take everything you need with you.
o Litter collection in rural areas may be limited. Please take a bag to put your litter in and #TakItHame.
o Take your own first aid kit and include a COVID kit with sanitiser/soap, gloves, mask/ face covering and a plastic bag for waste.
The headline information now is that for the purpose of private outdoor exercise you can travel five miles outside your local authority.
Only 2 people from 2 separate households can meet outdoors for sport, exercise or social interaction.
This gives a reasonable area: map
Edinburgh Council area map
The Edinburgh local authority area is bounded by the Queensferry Crossing in the north west, Portobello in the east and the A720 ring road in the south up to Hillend where the city area then includes the north side of the Pentlands above Balerno. Ratho and Kirkliston are in the area.
In addition the previous guidelines still apply:
- No car sharing
- Assess risk
- Extra first aid equipment to include mask, gloves, hand cleaner, eye protection and waste bag
- Considerate camping to be observed
- Protect Scotland smartphone app recommended
- Club organised activities cannot now take place
- Please read the guidance in full and remember to:
- Be prepared: Some car parks, toilets and other facilities may remain closed - click here for useful links
- Be safe: Plan ahead and stay well within your limits - whatever your activity - to avoid the need for rescue and emergency services.
- Be considerate: Think about how your actions might impact on others and follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code at all times.
- Be COVID aware: Keep physical distancing and hand/cough hygiene in mind at all times, and avoid sharing food, drink or equipment with others.
- Be waste aware: Many public toilets are still closed. Outdoor toileting should be done responsibly if it can’t be avoided. Other waste should be bagged and carried out as per normal.
- Be first aid aware: Take your own first aid kit and include a COVID kit with sanitiser/soap, gloves, mask/ face covering and a plastic bag for waste.
General advice across all mountain activities
Mountaineering Scotland advice
• Be COVID aware:
o For adults and young people over 12, physical distancing of 2m is recommended with anyone that is not part of your household.
o Adults can meet with up to one person from one other household outdoors daily, observing physical distancing.
- Be committed to hand hygiene - wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before leaving home and be cautious of touching surfaces eg gates, stiles. Further information on hand hygiene here: Health Protection Scotland: Hand hygiene techniques
- Avoid sharing food, drink or equipment with other people.
- Public transport is running at reduced capacity in some areas. If using public transport, adhere to Scottish Government physical distancing, face covering and travel guidelines – see the Transport Scotland website for detailed information and guidance.
- The cleaning of equipment, hand and respiratory hygiene are core measures to be implemented and provision should be made for these. Detailed guidance and advice is available at: www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/web-resources-container/covid-19-guidance-for-non- healthcare-settings/
- Hand sanitiser should be at least 60% alcohol based and detergent wipes appropriate for the surface they are being used on. Cleaning products should conform to EN14476 standards
o Carry out a risk assessment for your proposed activity in advance and consider safety first. For an example risk assessment see here:
www.mountaineering.scot/assets/contentfiles/pdf/Risk-Assessment-summer-activities.pdf
o Think about where you want to go and how you will get there and back again.
o Prepare to be flexible and have alternative locations in mind if your chosen destination is busy or crowded – car parks in popular locations in the Pentland may be busy, or even closed.
o Toilets, shops and cafes be closed, so don’t rely on them – take everything you need with you.
o Litter collection in rural areas may be limited. Please take a bag to put your litter in and #TakItHame.
o Take your own first aid kit and include a COVID kit with sanitiser/soap, gloves, mask/ face covering and a plastic bag for waste.