Covid guidance from official sources (7 October 2020)

Travel now limited (to be reviewed 26 October)

Scottish Government pronouncements today 7 October 2020 
People in Edinburgh (Lothian Health Board) are advised to avoid public transport:
 'we are asking people living in the  5 health board areas Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire & Arran, Lothian and Forth Valley to avoid public transport unless it is absolutely necessary – for example for going to school or to work, if home working is not an option.'

Private transport and public:
‘ . . . we are advising people living in Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire & Arran, Lothian and Forth Valley not to travel outside the health board area they live in, if you don’t need to - and likewise people in other parts of Scotland should not travel to these areas if they don’t need to'
https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-update-first-ministers-speech-7-october-2020/
NHS Lothian Health Board covers Edinburgh, Midlothian, East Lothian and West Lothian.

In addition the previous guidelines still apply: Club organised activities
  • Club organised activities can still take place provided that they observe the above guidelines and those of the appropriate sport
  • Mountaineering Scotland and/or Cycling
  • Formal risk assessment of each proposed event to be undertaken by  the person appointed as both Event Organiser & Covid Contact 
  • Risk assessment is then signed off by ESTC Covid Officer
  • Group sizes to be determined as part of risk assessment but can be larger than 2 households
  • No car sharing as above
  • Physical distancing applies as during outdoor events
  • Social activities before & after are limited. Smaller group sizes then apply (only 2 households)

​General guidance for outdoor activities from external sources
  • ​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 at Phase 3: 
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 other household outdoors daily, with maximum group size 6 and 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 
• Be prepared:
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 such as National Parks, popular Munros and climbing areas may be busy, or even closed.
o Toilets, shops and cafes are reopening but some may still 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.

​1.Further information