COVID Guidelines ahead of the British Championships – Updated 9th December

Updated: Thursday 9th December

In light of last night’s Government announcement, we have no choice but to enforce further rules to our COVID Guidance ahead of this weekend’s National Championships.

We will be introducing firmer measures to those outlined in the latest Government announcement. These measures are put in place in order to protect our sport, athletes and Judo Community and reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19.

To Summarise:

• Testing is mandatory at this event. Proof of a negative test will be required upon arrival at the venue, regardless of vaccination status*
• Face coverings are mandatory at this event. ALL visitors, including competitors, coaches, spectators, officials and staff must wear a face covering at all times**

* MANDATORY TESTING & NHS COVID PASS

Once you arrive at the venue, you will be asked to provide evidence of your negative test result (unless exempt) which can be accessed on your COVID Pass via the NHS App or via an email or text from the NHS COVID-19 notification service.

Competitors & Coaches

Weigh in will run from 18:30 – 20:30 on Friday 10th December (Juniors) and Saturday 11th December (Seniors) at EIS Sheffield.

Friday 10th December 2021 Junior Registration and Weigh in

Saturday 11th December 2021 Senior Registration and Weigh In

Spectators

All spectators and visitors will be required to show their proof of a negative test upon arrival at the venue. Please be prepared to show your COVID pass at any time throughout the weekend, including if you are visiting the venue both days.

All visitors aged 11 and over must take and report a rapid lateral flow test (LFD test) no earlier than 24 hours prior to arrival at the venue, regardless of your vaccination status.

Test results must be reported to the NHS in order to receive confirmation of your result. Your lateral flow test result will then be available on your NHS COVID Pass or will be communicated by e-mail or text message (from NHS Test and Trace).

Individuals aged 16 and over will be able to report their own test result online using the report a COVID-19 rapid lateral flow test service. If you cannot use the online service, call 119 (free from mobiles and landlines). Those aged between 11 and 15 will need to have their test result reported by a parent or guardian.

Fully vaccinated visitors, including those who have received a booster vaccination will still be required to test and report ahead of the weekend.

Test kits can be obtained free of charge from workplaces or educational settings such as schools and universities. Test kits can also be ordered free of charge online with delivery within 48 hours of ordering. A single testing pack contains 7 rapid tests. Order your test kit here: https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests

Where a lateral flow test cannot be taken due to an exemption, this should be demonstrated through your NHS COVID Pass e.g., if you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days.

Please note that vaccination cards will not be accepted as a form of evidence.

FACE COVERINGS

Face coverings will be mandatory in all areas of the venue, at all times. Where worn correctly, face coverings and masks can reduce the risk of transmission.

All persons present in the venue must wear a face covering, except in particular cases:

• Competitors and referees on the contest tatami
• Competitors on the warm-up tatami whilst warming up
• Face coverings/masks may only be removed whilst eating and drinking in a seated area

There are no exceptions to the face covering rule, other than medical exemption.

• The coach must wear a face covering/mask in the competition area at all times, this includes whilst being in the coaching box during a contest
• All visitors must wear a face covering/mask when seated in the spectator stands, only removing to eat or drink
• All officials must wear face covering/mask unless refereeing on the tatami
• All staff members must wear a face covering/mask at all times

Some people, including children under 11, are exempt from having to wear face coverings in any setting, please be mindful and respectful of such circumstances. From 10 December, face coverings will be required by law in most indoor public places and on public transport, including taxis.

Please be vigilant and mindful of others when travelling to and from the British Championships.

Failure to comply with the rules may result in accreditation passes being revoked for the remainder of the competition, or individuals being asked to leave the event.

POSITIVE COVID-19 TEST

If your rapid lateral flow test result is positive, you must self-isolate straight away to avoid spreading the infection to other people and book a PCR test to confirm your result. Please refer to NHS.UK for full testing guidance.

Do not travel or attend the event if you test positive for COVID-19 or if you are currently isolating. If you have been in close contact of someone who has tested positive for the Omicron variant, you must not attend and self-isolate immediately.

Any individual who tests positive for the COVID-19 Omicron variant or comes into contact with a positive case is now required to isolate, by law, for 10 days regardless of whether they have been vaccinated.

90-DAY WINDOW AFTER A POSITIVE TEST

If you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days with a PCR test, you should not test again using either PCR or rapid lateral flow tests for 90 days, unless you develop new symptoms during this time. If symptoms reoccur you should be retested immediately using PCR.

This 90-day period is from the initial onset of symptoms or if asymptomatic when a positive test result was confirmed.

COVID-19 SYMPTOMS

Do not attend the event if you or anybody in your household is displaying symptoms of COVID-19.

If you have any of these 3 COVID-19 symptoms, even if mild you should self-isolate immediately and arrange a PCR test. These tests are available at drive in test centres and also as home testing kits. You can book or order a PCR test here.

• High temperature
• New continuous cough
• Loss of or change in sense of smell or taste

Please do not travel or attend the event if:

• You feel unwell and are displaying COVID-19 symptoms, even if they are mild
• Have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 10 days
• You have been contacted by NHS test and trace and have been asked to self-isolate
• You have recently returned from travelling abroad

CASHLESS EVENT

Please note that this year’s Championships will be a cashless event. Entry tickets and merchandise will be available to purchase using card, contactless and device payment methods such as Apple, Samsung and Google Pay.

SPECTATORS

Spectator tickets will be available to purchase on each day of the Championships. Prices are as follows.

Adults – £6

Concessions/Children/60+ – £3

There will be no family ticket or weekend ticket options available. Please note that we will be running as a ‘cashless event’ so tickets will need to be paid with by card, contactless or device payment methods such as Apple, Samsung and Google Pay.

FOR THE LATEST GUIDANCE AND ADVICE ON COVID-19, PLEASE VISIT:

https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

The British Judo Association is closely monitoring and following Official Government Guidance which is dynamic to the current COVID-19 circumstances in the UK. The information above is correct as of Thursday 9^th December from NHS.UK and GOV.UK.