Last night, Tuesday 1st September, the Board of British Orienteering reviewed the Return to Orienteering Guidance for England and agreed changes which will be effective immediately.
The focus of the review was on the rate of starters at events. The Board considered a number of options.
Consideration was given to the following factors:
- Current government guidance in England
- The risk of transmission of coronavirus associated with holding events
- Reputational risk, including the perception of the sport by landowners, local and national authorities, and the general public
- Feedback from the 13 English clubs which have organised events under the current guidelines, some of which have suggested that British Orienteering could consider relaxing the start rate guidelines to reflect lessons learnt from these events and to allow larger competitions to be planned and delivered
- The challenges that some clubs have reported in obtaining permissions from landowners and local authorities
- Early feedback from the survey of clubs
Taking into account these factors, the Board have agreed to revise the start rate guidance as follows:
- If allocated start times are used, a maximum of two starters per minute is permitted from each start location.
- If start windows are used (rather than allocated start times), a maximum of one starter per minute is permitted from each start location.
- There is no limit to the number of separate start locations that may be used at an event.
Subject to a further review of the implementation of these revised guidelines, British Orienteering will aim to move in future revisions towards a higher start rate of up to four starters per minute from each start location, with allocated start times.
British Orienteering would welcome further feedback from clubs about their experience of operating within the current COVID-19 guidelines, and about any challenges they have encountered in obtaining permissions from landowners or local authorities.
Fully updated guidance documents incorporating these changes will be issued shortly.
The Board asks that clubs carefully consider the above factors when organising events.
The Board plans a further review of the guidance in October, subject to any further changes in the government guidance.
To view the current guidance visit:
https://www.britishorienteering.org.uk/COVID19_Safe_Orienteering
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