We hope that you are well, safe and looking forward to the festive period no matter where you are.
With the speed that the tiers are changing, we would hope that you could share the following with your clubs so that they are fully aware of the guidance around their tiers, and to help you with any queries that you might have in the coming days and weeks.
· With areas entering new tiers, we would like to make sure everyone is aware of the guidance around what can and can’t be done.
· You can find this on our Club Hub Support page (https://www.englandrugby.com/participation/running-your-club/club-support-centre/helpdesk-faqs )
and the Coronavirus Hub (https://www.englandrugby.com/participation/running-your-club/coronavirus/coronavirus-resources )
· In relation to tier 4, we issued the following advice on the RFU website and Government guidance can be found here.
· If you are unsure on what tier you are currently in or will be going in, you can find it here using the Government website https://www.gov.uk/guidance/full-list-of-local-restriction-tiers-by-area#tier-4-stay-at-home
· Given the latest news is that the new strain of the virus is 70% more transmissible we recommend that if you are in a Tier 4 area, clubs should cancel any upcoming training/fixture. However, this does mean rugby activity can continue for U18s.
As a reminder here guidance around travel and match play around the tiers:
· Adult players living in Tier 1 or Tier 2 can travel within and between Tier 1 and Tier 2 areas to train or play.
· Adult players living in Tier 1 or Tier 2 cannot travel into a Tier 3 area to train or play.
· Adult players living in Tier 3 can travel within their own specific Tier 3 area to train or play.
· Adult players living in Tier 3 cannot travel into another Tier 3 area, nor into a Tier 1 or Tier 2 area, to train or play.
· Adult rugby is not permitted in Tier 4
· Age grade players may, due to Government exemptions for U18s, travel across tiers 1-3 to train or play. However, to protect all involved, we strongly recommend that wherever possible training and match play follows adult guidelines.
· Age grade players from Tiers 1 or 2 can be accompanied by one parent or carer from, or into, a Tier 3 area to train or play.
· Age grade players in Tier 4 may only travel within their specific Tier 4 area to train or play and may only be accompanied by one parent or carer.
· Volunteers (including coaches and match officials) may travel across Tiers 1-3, where necessary, to enable participation to take place. However, to protect all involved, we strongly recommend this is kept to an absolute minimum.
· Volunteers (including coaches and match officials) living in Tier 4 may only travel within their specific Tier 4 area to enable participation to take place for U18s ONLY.
· Additional exemptions are in place for people with a disability.
Naturally, as we understand and hear more from Government we will update accordingly
We hope that everyone has an enjoyable time and stays safe in the hope that we can return to rugby as soon as possible.
