Guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19) measures for elite sport

1. What’s changed

17 September: Minor updates to advice on face coverings, in line with the government’s autumn and winter plan. Removed reference to guidance for people who were previously identified as clinically extremely vulnerable, as the shielding programme has now ended.

2. Introduction

This document sets out a recommended framework for the operation of elite sport. It sets out guidance for elite sport organisations on how to reduce the risk from COVID-19 for athletes, coaches, support staff, and other members of the elite sport operational structure. This includes guidance for UK-based elite sports organisations and individuals travelling to competition or training outside the UK.

This replaces the previous elite sport guidance, which set out a phased 5-stage return to training and competition to ensure the successful resumption of elite sport.

It is supplemented by the guidance for events and attractions, which outlines how competition delivery partners and venues should plan and manage sporting events with spectators.

This guidance does not constitute legal advice or replace any other government or PHE advice; nor does it provide any commentary or advice on health-related issues. Any relevant government and Public Health England (PHE) guidance on public health measures will take precedence over any other standards (such as competition standards set by international competition organisers, international federations or governments), unless otherwise specified.

3. Definitions

For the purposes of this guidance, the following definitions apply.

4. Key principles

Sport organisations, venue operators and competition organisers should:

• Complete a risk assessment that includes risks from COVID-19. For venue operators and other employers, this is an obligation under health and safety law. For sport organisations which are not employers, this is good practice which will help you to understand the risks relevant to your organisation and any steps you can take to reduce the risk of COVID-19. Your risk assessment should consider the points below in the rest of this guidance. It should also take into account any reasonable adjustments needed for staff and customers with disabilities. It is considered good practice to nominate a COVID-19 officer to lead your COVID-19 risk assessment and put in place risk mitigation and appropriate protocols. You can find more information in the section on risk assessments.
• Consider appointing a named COVID-19 medical officer to set protocols for infection management, medical cover and equipment, and oversee testing/symptom screening requirements and return of athletes following illness. This will depend on the size of your organisation and the provision you have. It could be an existing medical officer (where you have one) or the responsibility of one of the medical team. The medical officer should work with the COVID-19 officer (where you have one) to inform the medical aspects of the risk register and set appropriate protocols. There is further information in the section on medical protocols.
• Ensure that appropriate cleaning and hygiene protocols are in place to manage risk. Review your cleaning and hygiene protocols for training and competition facilities, and put in place any additional safety measures identified by your risk register. You should ask people in your organisation/using your facility to use hand sanitiser and clean their hands frequently, and provide them with advice to promote good hygiene. You can find more information in the section on cleaning and hygiene.
• Check that any facilities you use/operate provide adequate ventilation. You should make sure there is a supply of fresh air to enclosed spaces where there are people present. This can be natural ventilation through windows, doors and vents; mechanical ventilation using fans and ducts; or a combination of both. If you operate a facility or venue, you should identify any poorly ventilated spaces in your premises and consider steps you can take to improve fresh air flow in these areas. In some places, a CO2 monitor can help to identify if the space is poorly ventilated. You can find more information in the section on ventilation and the HSE guidance on ventilation and air conditioning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Enable people to check in at your venue. You are no longer legally required to collect contact details, however doing so will help to support NHS Test and Trace to reduce the spread of the virus. You can enable people to check in by providing an NHS QR code poster, though you do not have to ask customers to check in or turn them away if they refuse. If you display an NHS QR code, you should also have a system to collect (and securely store) names and contact details for those who ask to check in but do not have the app. You can find more information in the section on NHS QR codes.
• Consider the impact of athletes or staff being required to isolate on planned training or competitions, and whether you can put in place any contingency arrangements to minimise disruption. Anyone who is notified by NHS Test and Trace that they need to self-isolate must do so. Should a known or suspected COVID-19 case occur in the elite environment, or an individual be identified as a contact of a known case, you should follow the protocols set by the COVID-19 medical officer. You can find more information in the section on cases and outbreaks.
• Ensure athletes and staff supporting elite sport are aware of the risks involved in elite sport activity, mitigating steps being taken and measures they should follow.
• Consider any additional risks that may affect athletes or staff who have a higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19, or live with people in higher-risk groups.
• Review any other relevant guidance for further advice.
  • If you are planning events with spectators (or hosting other events open to visitors in your facility) you should review the guidance for events and attractions, which sets out the points you should consider for events with spectators. There is advice on the types of measures you can take to reduce risk at events, and a risk management template to help you plan your event.
  • Those operating workplaces should review the guidance on working safely in different types of environments such as offices, retail environments and hospitality facilities.
  • If you are operating a sport facility, or you also cover grassroots sport provision, you should review the guidance on grassroots sport. This includes advice on sport participation and provision, as well as specific guidance for operators of sport facilities which may be relevant to your venue.

5. Risk assessments

5.1 Who should do a risk assessment

Sport organisations, venue operators and other relevant organisations (such as competition delivery partners) should have in place a risk assessment that includes risks from COVID-19.

You can nominate a COVID-19 officer to lead your COVID-19 risk assessment and put in place risk mitigation and appropriate protocols. A COVID-19 officer would act as the person responsible for oversight of COVID-19 risk assessments and ensuring the necessary level of risk mitigations are in place. This should include any relevant partners, such as the medical officer who will advise on medical protocols. The COVID-19 officer will also coordinate sharing of risk assessments or risk management plans with their organisation, and with partner organisations they work with (e.g. with a competition organiser and venue, ahead of a competition).

• Consider designating a member of staff as your COVID-19 officer. This would include oversight of venues and facilities which are operated by the sport, though they should assess and put in place a suitable structure for their sport. For example, sports may wish to nominate COVID-19 officers for clubs/teams/training groups or venues/facilities they operate, working within the protocols set by the lead COVID-19 officer.
• Facilities and venues which are not sport-run may have their own COVID-19 officer responsible for assessing and managing COVID-19 risks.
• Where multiple sports/clubs are using the same site(s), all COVID-19 officers should share their risk assessments and operational plans to ensure alignment and avoid any potential conflict between plans. It may be helpful to appoint a lead COVID-19 officer to manage this process, such as the venue operator’s COVID-19 officer.
• When delivering elite sport competitions, each operating partner should appoint a named COVID-19 officer for every competition in which they have an interest. All COVID-19 officers should share their risk assessments and operational plans to ensure alignment and avoid any potential conflict between plans. It may be helpful to appoint a lead COVID-19 officer to manage this process.

Sport organisations which are not employers

For sport organisations which are not employers, doing a risk assessment is good practice which will help you to understand the risks relevant to your organisation and any steps you can take to reduce the risk of COVID-19. You should read the guidance in this section and introduce reasonable measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19. However, this is not a legal requirement unless you are an employer.

Venue operators and other employers

For venue operators and other employers, doing a risk assessment is an obligation under health and safety law. As an employer, by law you must protect workers and others (including contractors, volunteers and customers/users) from risks to their health and safety. This includes risks from COVID-19.

COVID-19 is a workplace hazard. You should manage it in the same way as other workplace hazards. This includes:

• completing a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks of COVID-19 in the workplace
• identifying control measures to manage that risk

Your risk assessment will help you decide whether you have done everything you need to.

Failure to carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment, and put in place control measures to manage the risk of COVID-19 in the workplace, may be considered a breach of health and safety law.

Consult your workers

As an employer, you have a legal duty to consult workers on health and safety matters. You can do this by listening and talking to them about the work they do and how you will manage the risks from COVID-19.

You may do this by consulting with any recognised trade union health and safety representatives. If you do not have any, you can consult with a representative chosen by workers. As an employer, you cannot decide who the representative will be.

Employers and workers should always come together to resolve issues. If you cannot do this, see below for other steps you can take.

Raising concerns

If you’re an employee, you can contact:

• your employee representative
• your trade union if you have one

You can also contact HSE’s COVID-19 enquiries team:

Enforcement

Enforcing authorities identify employers who do not take action to comply with the relevant law and guidance to control public health risks. When they do, they can take a range of actions to improve control of workplace risks. The HSE and your local authority are examples of enforcing authorities.

When they identify serious breaches, enforcing authorities can do a number of things. These include:

• sending you a letter.
• serving you with an improvement or prohibition notice.
• bringing a prosecution against you, in cases where they identify significant breaches.

If an enforcing authority issues you with any advice or notices, you should respond rapidly and within their timescales. Inspectors are carrying out compliance checks nationwide to ensure that employers are taking the necessary steps.

Under the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 3) Regulations 2020, local authorities continue to have the power to place public health restrictions on businesses in cases where there is a serious and imminent threat to public health posed by COVID-19. However, coronavirus legislation does not impose any restrictions on the types of events which can take place, and local authorities may only exercise those powers by issuing a direction where that is necessary in public health terms, and any prohibitions, requirements or conditions imposed by the Direction are proportionate to the risk. Further information is available in the guidance for events and attractions and the guidance on local authority powers to impose restrictions.

5.2 How to do a risk assessment

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has tools to support you.

You do not have to write anything down as part of your risk assessment if you:

• have fewer than 5 workers
• are self-employed

However, you may still find it useful to do so.

To carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment, you should consider the different ways the virus can be spread (aerosols, droplets and surfaces) and put in place measures to reduce the risk of each type of transmission. An example of the factors you should consider is included in the box below.

Some activities can increase the risk of catching or passing on COVID-19. This happens where people are doing activities which generate more particles as they breathe heavily, such as singing, dancing, exercising or raising their voices. You should consider the specific risks of your facility or event, and take additional care to manage situations where there is a higher risk of catching or passing on COVID-19.

You will need to translate this into the specific actions you need to take. These will depend on the nature of your organisation, including the size and type of business, how it is organised, operated and managed. The risk assessment should be reviewed regularly to ensure the measures put in place are appropriate for the various settings elite sport is operating in (e.g. training schedules and competition). This will help you to ensure that you have appropriate protocols (such as cleaning and hygiene protocols and medical protocols) in place to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

This applies to sport organisations and venue operators as well as to events you may organise. If you are organising events, you should also consider the risk factors identified by the Events Research Programme when undertaking risk assessments. These are set out in the guidance for events and attractions, along with options for managing and reducing these risks and a risk management template to help you plan your event.

Your risk assessment should also include:

• An up-to-date plan for what you will do in the event of an outbreak in your workplace. This includes nominating a member of staff as the single point of contact who will contact local public health teams. You can find more information in the section on cases and outbreaks.
• Ensuring that workers, customers and visitors who feel unwell do not come to the workplace. By law, businesses must not require a worker who is legally required to self-isolate to work anywhere other than where they are self-isolating (normally their home).
• Risks arising from periods of closure. If your building is unoccupied or has reduced occupancy during a period of restrictions, you should take steps to manage any risks that could arise when reopening (for example, by reviewing HSE’s guidance on the risk of legionella.
• The impact of your policies on groups who have protected characteristics, and to those who are more at risk of being infected with COVID-19 or have a higher risk of serious illness.
• Managing risk in any unusual workplaces. This could include specialist construction sites, where it can be necessary for people to work in close contact in enclosed spaces (such as roof spaces). You should consider ways to modify the work area or working practices to mitigate risk, and may find relevant advice in the guidance for construction and other outdoor work.
• The security implications of any decisions and control measures you intend to put in place. Any revisions could present new or altered security risks you may need to mitigate.

6. Medical protocols

Consider appointing COVID-19 medical officer to set protocols for infection management, medical cover and equipment, and oversee testing/symptom screening requirements and return of athletes following illness.

It is recommended that each sport, venue and competition organiser has a named COVID-19 medical officer (except where these are part of the same organisation – e.g. a sport-run facility, or competition for your sport in your own facility). This will depend on the size of your organisation and the provision you have. It could be an existing medical officer (where you have one) or the responsibility of one of the medical team. It is good practice for this to be a physician who is familiar with the emerging evidence related to post-COVID-19 pathology.

The medical officer should work with the COVID-19 officer (where you have one) to inform the medical aspects of the risk register and set appropriate protocols.

The COVID-19 medical officer should:

• Support the COVID-19 officer with any medical aspects of the risk assessment and mitigation process. This will include setting protocols for testing and screening, infection management, medical cover and equipment.
• Ensure any suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases are managed in line with the sport’s COVID-19 case management protocols and relevant government guidance. You can see further advice on managing cases in the section on cases and outbreaks below.
• Set appropriate protocols for the return of athletes and staff following self-isolation or suspected/confirmed cases of COVID-19, and how they should be medically assessed. Have medical oversight of the return of athletes, including a check-up before re-engaging in any training or competition.
• Determine what level of monitoring for COVID-19 symptoms or testing for COVID-19 is required, and how any regular screening for COVID-19 symptoms will take place. Screening should include a questionnaire as a minimum.
• Oversee testing and symptom screening requirements. Regular screening for symptoms within the training environment may be carried out by an appropriately trained healthcare professional working with a set of protocols defined in the risk assessment mitigation plan and signed off by the medical officer.
• Ensure an appropriate level of medical staffing is in place to manage any injuries and illness, alongside additional measures such as COVID-19 symptom screening.
• Ensure that staff receive appropriate training. For example, those working at a sport event should familiarise themselves with the guidance for first responders, in case of emergency situations.
• Consider whether personal protective equipment (PPE) is required, and ensure it is available where appropriate (and that relevant staff are trained in appropriate usage and disposal). You can see further advice on PPE below.

6.1 Personal protective equipment (PPE)

The COVID-19 medical officer should consider whether personal protective equipment (PPE) is required for relevant staff, taking into account the following guidance. This should be considered through your risk assessment.

• Where close face-to-face contact is required, the COVID-19 medical officer may decide that medical personnel and patients should wear face coverings. This is particularly important when they are conducting treatments which require them to be in close proximity to a person’s face, mouth and nose.
• Where there is a greater risk of exposure to the virus, they may recommend the use of PPE such as visors or specific types of face masks to protect the practitioner’s eyes, mouth and nose (for example, for practitioners who need to work in close contact with potentially symptomatic individuals, or for first responders in emergency situations).
• In most other cases, PPE would not be required, except where it is normally used in your work activity to protect against non-COVID-19 risks.
• If your risk assessment does show that PPE is required, you must provide this PPE free of charge to workers who need it. Any PPE provided must fit properly. You should ensure that relevant staff are trained in their appropriate usage and disposal of PPE.

6.2 Cases and outbreaks

The COVID-19 medical officer should work with the COVID-19 officer to ensure they have appropriate protocols for managing cases or outbreaks of COVID-19. This should be set out in your risk register, and should include the following actions:

• People who are fully vaccinated, or (1) are aged under 18 and 6 months, (2) have taken part in, or are currently part of, an approved COVID-19 vaccine trial, or (3) are unable to get vaccinated due to medical reasons do not need to self-isolate if they’ve had close contact with someone who has COVID-19. If they get any COVID-19 symptoms, they should self-isolate immediately and get a PCR test.
• Ensuring that any workers, visitors or athletes who have symptoms or who have tested positive leave the facility immediately to self-isolate.
• Where possible, the individual being assessed on-site by the COVID-19 medical officer (or another medical professional following the protocols set by the COVID-19 medical officer).
• Informing your local authority public health team. Where possible, nominate a single point of contact to lead on contacting local public health teams. 
• Ensuring your facility is thoroughly cleaned. Follow the measures set out in the guidance for cleaning in non-healthcare settings.
• If you are organising an event with spectators, review the guidance for events and attractions and ensure you include appropriate protocols for managing cases in spectators.

7. Sports, clubs and support service providers

It is considered good practice for sport organisations, clubs and support service providers to:

• Clearly communicate that any individual involved with an elite sport training environment and/or competition has the right to ‘opt out’ at any time, highlighting that no unreasonable steps will be taken against them as a consequence.
• Ensure athletes and staff are aware of any relevant guidance or safety measures in place, such as training protocols, cleaning and hygiene measures at facilities, or competition requirements. Clearly communicate any changes to protocols or requirements.
• Ensure that you have appropriate insurance cover, and that any support staff within the training environment are operating to the minimum standards of practice required by any professional body endorsement and professional indemnity insurances.
• Consider any additional risks that may affect athletes or staff who are more at risk of being infected with COVID-19 or have a higher risk of serious illness.
• Consider how any measures you put in place will affect staff with protected characteristics, and any adjustments you should make to take account of your duties under the equalities legislation. Discuss with disabled workers and athletes what reasonable adjustments can be made so they can work, train and participate safely in the training or competition environment. Where relevant, consider whether you should take any additional actions to support Paralympic athletes who need support with complex impairments.
• Be aware of, and focus on, the importance of mental health during the pandemic recovery. Ensure that the mental wellbeing of athletes and staff is taken into account as well as their physical health. Review the guidance on the mental health and wellbeing aspects of COVID-19 and consider how best to provide support to athletes and staff.

7.1 Face coverings

Sport organisations should encourage their staff/volunteers, athletes and visitors to wear a face covering where they will be in enclosed and crowded spaces (but not when taking part in sport, including training and competitions).

• Face coverings are no longer required by law. However, people should wear face coverings in crowded and enclosed settings where they come into contact with people they do not normally meet. Where worn correctly, this can reduce the risk of transmission.
• Athletes and support staff may be asked to wear face coverings in training and competition venues or events, when not participating in sporting activities. You should advise them to follow the competition or facility’s guidance where possible and appropriate.
• People in your organisation may choose to wear a face covering. You should support them in doing so, and ensure they are aware of guidance on using face coverings safely.
• Venue operators/competition organisers and organisations which are employers should consider recommending the use of face coverings as a safety measure, where people will be in enclosed and crowded spaces and come into contact with others they don’t normally meet. When deciding whether you will recommend that people wear face coverings:
  • You need to consider the reasonable adjustments needed for workers and customers with disabilities. You also need to carefully consider how this fits with other obligations to workers and customers arising from the law on employment rights, health and safety and equality legislation.
  • You should not ask people to wear face coverings while taking part in any strenuous activity or sport.
  • Remember that some people are not able to wear face coverings, and the reasons for this may not be visible to others. Please be mindful and respectful of such circumstances. Be aware that face coverings may make it harder to communicate with people who rely on lip reading, facial expressions and clear sound.
• If you are organising an event with spectators, review the guidance for events and attractions for further advice.

7.2 NHS QR Code

Facility/venue operators should consider displaying an NHS QR code poster so that people can check in using the NHS COVID-19 app.

• You are no longer required to collect customer contact details, or keep a record of your staff and visitors.
• However, you are advised to continue to display an NHS QR code for people wishing to check in using the app, as this will help to reduce the spread of the virus and protect your athletes, visitors and staff. You do not have to ask people to check in, or turn them away if they refuse.
• If you display an NHS QR code, you should also have a system to collect (and securely store) names and contact details, for those who ask to check in but who do not have access to a smartphone or who prefer not to use the app.

7.3 Cleaning / hygiene protocols

Facility/venue operators should put in place cleaning protocols for the facility, which meet government guidance for cleaning in non-healthcare settings as a minimum.

Cleaning protocols should include provision for:

• Routine cleaning of all areas accessed by elite athletes, support staff and facilities staff at the beginning and end of the training day, paying particular attention to high-traffic areas and surfaces that are touched regularly, such as door handles, lift buttons and handrails.
• Routine and thorough cleaning of all spectator areas where these are in use, including seating, concourse areas and toilets, including between each competition session. Particular attention should be paid to frequent touch-points such as doors, door handles, seat arms, handrails and taps. There is further guidance on management of spectators in the guidance on events and attractions.
• Frequently cleaning of higher-risk areas, such as toilet facilities, changing rooms and showers, during the day and at the end of the day. Hosts/venue operators should set clear use and cleaning guidance to ensure these areas are kept clean, including putting up a visible and up-to-date cleaning schedule. Special care should be taken for cleaning of portable toilets and larger toilet blocks. Water fountains should be frequently cleaned, and only used to fill personal bottles (you should advise against face-to-tap drinking).
• Deep-cleaning where required, such as after higher-risk activity in enclosed spaces, or where the area/equipment has been used by someone who later reports COVID-19 symptoms or a positive test. If you are cleaning after a known or suspected case of COVID-19, follow the guidance on cleaning in non-healthcare settings.
• Any additional cleaning needs identified through your risk register, or in consultation with venues, competition organisers or other sport organisations.
  • This could include cleaning relevant areas or shared equipment between sessions for different groups of athletes, which should be agreed in advance with the relevant groups. Where users are expected to clean gym equipment (such as fixed machines, free weights and large equipment handles), the host/venue operator should place visible notices to remind them to do so, and ensure they have the materials they will need (such as sprays and paper towels).
  • This could also include equipment being brought into the training venue (such as specialist technical equipment or wheelchairs).
• Cleaning of clinical areas should meet any relevant standards set by Public Health England. This should be discussed with the COVID-19 medical officer.
• Put in place hygiene measures to reduce the risk of transmission. This should include providing handwashing facilities and hand sanitiser, particularly in high-traffic or higher-risk areas, such as concourse areas, doorways, lifts and bathroom facilities. This could include placing hand sanitiser stations at the entrances of different buildings or areas within your event site.
• Ensure handwashing facilities or hand sanitiser stations are available near shared facilities, equipment and objects. For example, at the entrance and exit of toilet facilities, and near food/drink kiosks.
• Ensure that handwashing and hand sanitiser facilities are checked and refilled regularly, and that any equipment placed is accessible to (and does not impede) wheelchair users.
• Maintain good hygiene practices, such as encouraging staff and customers to use hand sanitiser and wash their hands regularly. You could use signs and posters to build awareness of good handwashing techniques, the need to increase handwashing frequency, and good hygiene practices (like avoiding touching your face, and coughing or sneezing into your arm). Consider how to ensure safety messages reach those with hearing or vision impairments.

7.4 Ventilation

In enclosed spaces (such as indoor settings, or indoor areas of outdoor venues), ventilation is an important control measure to reduce the risk of aerosol transmission of COVID-19. You should consider how best to increase ventilation in your facility, to maximise the supply of fresh or cleaned air. You can watch a video from the Health and Safety Executive which explains how ventilation reduces the risk of transmission and the steps that businesses can take.

However, ventilation will not reduce the risk of droplet or surface transmission, so you should also put in place other control measures such as cleaning.

Steps you should take:

• Open doors, windows and air vents where possible, to improve natural ventilation, and ensure extractor fans work effectively. You should take particular care to keep toilets and shower facilities well-ventilated, as these can be areas of higher risk.
• If using mechanical ventilation, ensure that your systems are set to maximise fresh air and minimise air recirculation. Maximising the amount of fresh or cleaned air the system draws in will help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
• Identify any poorly ventilated spaces and taking steps to improve fresh air flow in these areas. The priority for your risk assessment is to identify areas of your workplace that are usually occupied, and poorly ventilated. You should prioritise these areas for improvement to reduce the risk of aerosol transmission. A CO2 monitor could help you assess whether a space is poorly ventilated, and if you should use additional mechanical ventilation or open windows (see the box below for further information on CO2 monitors). If you can’t improve ventilation in poorly ventilated spaces, consider whether it is safer to restrict the number of people in these spaces or stop using them if possible.
• Encourage the use of outside space where practical, in particular for higher-risk activity such as exercise or when people are singing or raising their voices.

Further information and advice relating to ventilation in the workplace can be found in the Health and Safety Executive’s guidance on ventilation and air conditioning.

8. Competition environments

Elite sport competitions are typically delivered in partnership by multiple organisations and delivery models can be complex. There may be crossover in responsibilities between the competition delivery partners and elite sport organisations. All user groups should work collectively to ensure that competitions can be staged safely.

If you are planning events with spectators (or hosting other events open to visitors in your facility) you should review the guidance for events and attractions, which sets out further advice on managing spectators. There is advice on the types of measures you can take to reduce risk at events, and a risk management template to help you plan your event.

The competition delivery partners should regularly consult with the Safety Advisory Group, local authority and local Public Health England (PHE) representatives, to understand the prevailing risk environment and assess if the competition can be safely hosted. There is more detailed advice on working with local authorities and other partners in the guidance for events and attractions.

Prior to competition, competition delivery partners should ensure that the following minimum standards are in place:

• Agreement over the roles and responsibilities and command, control and coordination arrangements between the competition delivery partners and the elite sport organisation(s).
• A decision-making structure and agreed procedure in place to modify, restrict, postpone or cancel the competition, should this be required or indicated by government guidance or public health data/developments.
• Any measures required to comply with government/PHE guidelines (relating to sport-specific rules, technical requirements or equipment) are agreed and put in place by the national/international governing body for that sport.
• Where the competition organiser and venue operator are not the same person, those two parties should enter into a venue-use agreement to ensure that all relevant matters (including those set out in this guidance) are appropriately addressed.

9. Cross-border competition

Elite sport competitions are typically delivered in partnership by multiple organisations and delivery models can be complex. There may be crossover in responsibilities between the competition delivery partners and elite sport organisations. Complexity is increased in cross-border competition, when international elite sport organisations, international federations and other international user groups are introduced to the competition environment.

All user groups should work collectively to ensure that the competition can be staged safely. The roles, responsibilities, and command/control/coordination arrangements between the competition delivery partners and the elite sport organisation(s) should be agreed at the outset, including consideration of the role of the international federation(s), where appropriate, and any requirements of international elite sport organisations or individuals.

9.1 Hosting cross-border elite sports events in England

In addition to the considerations for elite sport competition (set out above, and in the guidance for events and attractions), competition delivery partners and elite sport organisations should make early contact with the international elite sports organisations/individuals, international federations (where appropriate) and other international user groups to discuss:

1. The current COVID-19 situation in the UK (including risk levels and government policy), and how this may impact entry to the UK/England, planned accommodation, training, transportation, and match fixtures. If you are concerned about the impact of self-isolation or quarantine requirements, see the section on listing events as specified competitions and international travel for further advice.

2. The COVID-19 plans and policies of national governing bodies (or their equivalents) of visiting international sportspersons.

3. Current COVID-19 regulations and guidance, and any implications they may have on international attendees’ medical requirements, or cultural, language, religious or vulnerability considerations which should be taken into account.

4. The requirement for international attendees to have in place appropriate medical insurance and/or funding to cover their medical needs outside the NHS. This should include routine medical and performance-related healthcare such as musculoskeletal injuries, including outpatient investigation. Insurance must include COVID-19 care if reciprocal home country arrangements do not apply. This should include the whole delegation for the duration of their stay in the UK.

5. Travel arrangements to the UK, including:

   – The country of embarkation of international user groups and any entry requirements, such as visas, screening, isolation or proof of a recent negative test result, to enter the UK.

   – All countries that the individual(s) have been in within the 10 days preceding entry, and any measures that will need to be taken (such as testing and quarantine).

   – Travel and transit through international airports and specific COVID-19 risks associated with this.

   – Procedures for arrivals/departures, and ground transport.

6. Any equipment (sporting or non-sporting) that will be required to deliver the competition and will be imported from outside the UK.

7. Requirement to adhere to a code of behaviour, and any sanctions in place for breaches of protocols, guidance and laws.

9.2 Planning for international travel to elite sport outside the UK

Key points to consider for domestic elite sports organisations, sportspersons and essential operational or support staff travelling to competition or training outside the UK.

1. Follow the guidance on international travel. Check the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) travel advice for countries you plan to travel to, which sets out COVID-19 and other risks that you may face if you travel abroad. Review FCDO advice regularly prior to travel to ensure that any changes to measures can be incorporated into your plans.

2. Plan for your return to the UK. You need to take account of all relevant laws and guidance on return to the UK, such as testing and quarantine measures that may apply. The exemptions to self-isolation requirements for elite sport only apply to certain events under certain conditions, and cannot be used to cover other circumstances. You can find more information about how these exemptions apply to different groups in the section on domestic elite sportspersons.

3. Ensure you are aware of relevant guidance for the country you travel to. The COVID-19 Officer and COVID-19 Medical Officer responsible for the elite sport organisation or individual(s) should liaise with the organisers of any competition to be held outside the UK in a sufficiently timely manner in order to comply with the entry requirements of the country, including any quarantine / isolation laws or guidance.

4. Ensure those travelling are aware of relevant laws and guidance. The travelling athletes and support staff will be expected to abide by the laws and guidelines of the host country and organisation for the duration of their stay in the host country.

5. Put in place protocols for managing cases. Plans should be in place, should any travelling athlete develop symptoms and/or test positive for COVID-19, to keep that individual isolated, to maintain relevant contact tracing procedures, and to plan their appropriate return to the UK (when it is safe to do so, and in line with wider travel and public health guidelines – both in the UK and in the country in which they are competing).

6. Consider post-travel arrangements. On return, travelling athletes and support staff should return to following protocols as agreed within their sport.

9.3 Listing of specified competitions and notification of events to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)

Competition organisers may seek to be listed as a ‘specified competition’ where, subject to meeting strict criteria, accredited attendees may be exempt from self-isolation requirements to enable them to participate in or help deliver the specified competition.

It is the responsibility of the competition organiser to agree any listing of their event as a specified competition directly with the UK government, by contacting the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (elitesportexemptions@dcms.gov.uk). This must be done at least 6 weeks in advance of the event, to allow for consideration of the request and amending the legislation (if agreed) so that the event becomes a specified competition for the purposes of the Regulations.

National governing bodies and event organisers routinely report to DCMS the number of exemptions they have issued for elite sports events and elite sportspersons. Those who are considering issuing an exemption who do not already report on this should contact DCMS (elitesportexemptions@dcms.gov.uk) so that they can be added to the reporting cycle.

10. International travel – self-isolation and exemptions

The advice below relates to the rules for entering England from overseas. If you are travelling to another part of the UK, you should check the relevant guidance for Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

People travelling to the UK must take a COVID-19 test before departure, and follow further measures (such as testing after arrival and quarantine) depending on the countries they have travelled from or through in the previous 10 days. The measures that should be followed depend on the COVID-19 rating (green, amber, or red) of the countries they have travelled from or through.

• Green: people who have travelled from or through only green-list countries must book and pay for a ‘Day 2’ test in advance of travel, but do not need to self-isolate.
• Amber: people who have travelled from or through amber-list countries (other than France) need to self-isolate for 10 days following their arrival, unless they have been fully vaccinated under the UK vaccination programme or UK vaccination roll-out overseas. Those travelling from or through France must self-isolate regardless of their vaccination status. All arrivals from amber-list countries will need to book and pay for the relevant COVID-19 tests in advance of travel.
• Red: entry to the UK from red-list countries is restricted to British and Irish Nationals, or those with residence rights in the UK, who must book and stay in a managed quarantine hotel. This booking includes the tests they will need to take after arrival.

These rules do not apply to the ‘common travel area’ of Ireland, the UK, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. People who have only travelled from or through countries in the common travel area are not required by the International Travel Regulations (“the Regulations”) to take a COVID-19 test or self-isolate on arrival in England.

10.1 Elite sport exemptions

In some circumstances, different rules for self-isolation (known as ‘exemptions’) apply to elite sportspersons. This is in recognition that public health risks associated with these events will be very low, as a result of meticulous planning and mitigation strategies, effectively operating so far as possible within a distinct bubble of those involved in the competition, and within a distinct event footprint made up of the event venues and other relevant locations (such as athlete accommodation facilities).

This exemption is only relevant to:

• Travel from or through red-list countries (for Schedule 11 events only);
• Travel from or through amber-list countries (other than France) (for Schedule 5 events), for those who are required to self-isolate (i.e. those who have not been fully vaccinated under the UK vaccination programme or UK vaccination roll-out overseas);
• Travel from or through France (for Schedule 5 events) regardless of vaccination status.

Travel from or through green-list countries or the common travel area does not require use of this exemption, as there is no requirement to self-isolate.

Travel from or through amber-list countries (other than France) by those who have been fully vaccinated (under the UK vaccination programme or UK vaccination roll-out overseas) does not require use of this exemption, as there is no requirement to self-isolate.

10.2 International (non-UK) sportspersons travelling to compete in the UK

International elite sportspersons and essential organisational or support staff (e.g. coaches, medical and technical staff, and essential broadcast staff for the event) who are attending certain types of event (‘specified competitions’) listed in the Regulations can isolate within the event footprint, provided they comply with certain conditions. This exemption allows them to leave self-isolation when they take part in the relevant activities of the event, isolating instead with other elite sportspersons and essential support or operational staff involved in the event as part of the event bubble.

There are two lists of competitions, and the exemptions that apply depend on the countries the relevant individuals have travelled from or through.

Events listed in Schedule 11 of the Regulations:

• Those travelling from or through red-list countries to attend a Schedule 11 event do not have to enter managed quarantine, provided they comply with the relevant conditions set out below. If they cannot comply with these conditions, they must adhere to the requirements which would otherwise apply.

Events listed under Schedule 5 of the Regulations:

• Those travelling from or through amber-list countries to attend a Schedule 5 event can isolate within the event footprint, provided they comply with the relevant conditions set out below. To the extent that they cannot or do not comply with these conditions, they must self-isolate in line with the requirements that would otherwise apply.
• They may not need to use this exemption if, for example, they are fully vaccinated under the UK vaccination programme or UK vaccination roll-out overseas, which means they do not have to self-isolate after travel from or through amber-list countries. However, if they travel from or through France, they will need to use this exemption, as the requirement to self-isolate applies regardless of vaccination status.
• This exemption does not apply if they have travelled from or through any red-list countries in the 10 days preceding their arrival in England, unless the event is also listed in Schedule 11 of the Regulations.

For these exemptions to apply, the individual(s) are required to stay within the footprint of the listed elite sports event. This means:

• Going directly to, and staying within, the relevant event location(s), which may include provision of hotel or other suitable accommodation. If the event has multiple venues, they can travel between those locations.
• Self-isolating when not attending relevant activities. For example, staying away from others they did not travel with when in the event accommodation. You can find further advice on how to quarantine safely in the guidance on quarantine and testing.
• When attending relevant activities (such as training and competition), staying within the event bubble, isolating with other elite sportspersons and essential support or operational staff involved in the event.
• If the individual(s) stay somewhere other than the event footprint (e.g. if they own a residence in England) they must self-isolate in that place when they are not within the event footprint. They are allowed to travel between that location and the event, subject to any additional protocols imposed by the event organiser.

These conditions apply until their departure from England or for the period they would otherwise be in self-isolation (10 full days after arrival in England).

In order to qualify for this exemption, the relevant individual(s) must provide written evidence from the UK or England national governing body for their sport, confirming that they are:

• an international elite sportsperson or essential ancillary organisational or support staff (e.g. coaches, medical and technical staff, and essential broadcast staff for the event); and
• attending a specified competition listed in the Regulations.

10.3 Domestic (UK) sportspersons travelling to or returning to the UK

Domestic athletes and support/operational staff travelling or returning to the UK can under some circumstances be exempt from self-isolation which would otherwise apply. This applies to travel from amber-list countries (for those who have not been fully vaccinated under the UK vaccination programme or UK vaccination roll-out overseas) and France (regardless of vaccination status).

This exemption will not be needed if they have only travelled from or through the common travel area (Ireland, the UK, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) or green-list countries in the 10 days before their arrival, as there is no requirement to self-isolate.

This exemption will not be needed if they have been fully vaccinated under the UK vaccination programme or UK vaccination roll-out overseas, and they have travelled from or through amber-list countries (other than France). If they have travelled from or through France, they will need to use this exemption (as the requirement to self-isolate applies regardless of vaccination status).

This exemption does not apply if they have travelled from or through a red-list country in the 10 days before their arrival. They must follow the requirements for arrivals from red-list countries, including quarantining in a managed quarantine hotel, unless they are participating in an event which is listed under Schedule 11 of the Regulations.

There are different rules for relevant athletes and staff, depending on whether they are based in the UK or overseas.

11. Summary: international athletes/staff travelling to compete in the UK

This section applies to international elite sportspersons and essential support or operational staff who are travelling from overseas to compete in the UK. This guidance relates to arrivals in England. If you arrive in a different part of the UK, you should check the relevant guidance for Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

Self-isolation requirements

If you are travelling to certain types of event (‘specified competitions’) listed in the Regulations, the elite sport exemption applies. This means that you can isolate in a different way to other people travelling to the UK, which allows you to take part in your event, provided you comply with certain conditions, such as staying within the event bubble. You should check whether your event is listed in the Regulations to find out whether you are exempt from any isolation or quarantine requirements.

If you have travelled from or through red-list countries in the 10 days prior to your arrival:

If you have travelled from or through amber-list countries (other than France) in the 10 days prior to your arrival:

• If you have been fully vaccinated under the UK vaccination programme or UK vaccination roll-out overseas, you do not need to use this exemption for elite sport, as there is no requirement to self-isolate.
• Non-specified competitions: unless your event is listed under Schedule 5 of the Regulations, you should follow the guidance for arrivals from amber-list countries. This means that you must self-isolate for 10 days following your arrival, unless you have been fully vaccinated under the UK vaccination programme or UK vaccination roll-out overseas.
• Specified competitions: If your event is listed under Schedule 5 of the Regulations, the exemption will apply (regardless of your vaccination status), provided you comply with the conditions in the box below.

If you have travelled from or through France in the 10 days prior to your arrival:

12. Summary: domestic athletes/staff travelling to the UK from overseas

This section applies to:

• Domestic elite sportspersons and essential operational or support staff returning from participating overseas in elite sports events (or training for the Olympic or Paralympic Games).
• UK sportspersons based overseas entering England for elite sport competition or training.

This guidance applies to those who arrive in England. If you arrive in a different part of the UK, you should check the relevant guidance for Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

If you are travelling to/returning to England from an amber-list country, you are exempt from the self-isolation requirement which otherwise applies to the extent that you are taking part in relevant elite sport activities, provided you comply with the conditions in the box below.

If you have been fully vaccinated under the UK vaccination programme or UK vaccination roll-out overseas, you will not need to use this exemption as you are not required to self-isolate after travel from or through amber-list countries (unless you have travelled from or through France).

If you have travelled from or through France, you will need to use this exemption in order to take part in relevant elite sport activities, as people who have travelled from or through France must self-isolate regardless of vaccination status.

This exemption does not apply to red-list countries. If you are returning from (or have travelled through) a red-list country in the 10 days prior to your arrival in England, you must follow the requirements for arrivals from red-list countries, including quarantining in a managed quarantine hotel, unless you are participating in an event which is listed under Schedule 11 of the Regulations of the Regulations.