COVID-19 UPDATE – 25TH FEBRUARY 2021

Dear Members, Colleagues and Friends,

The First Minister earlier this week provided Scottish Parliament with an update on COVID-19 and related restrictions. Full details can be found here: Coronavirus (COVID-19): Strategic Framework update – February 2021. Page 14 summarises the key points.

In setting the context, the First Minister stated at this stage we need to continue to be cautious and patient. She also said there are much firmer grounds for optimism now that we have vaccinations and the other tools at our disposal offering us a route back to greater normality. It was also made clear there is quite limited scope for easing restrictions at this stage based on the public health advice.

The statement set out indicative dates to return to a system of levels from the last week of April. We will have to wait a little longer for information regarding table tennis and other indoor activity. The key points announced, relevant to other sport are:

15 March

Education: Return of P4-7 pupils to schools full-time. More but not all secondary pupils returning to school at least part-time. (Full details to be confirmed next week)
Sport: Non-contact outdoor group sport permitted for 12 to 17 year olds (this is already permitted for under 12s).
Gatherings: Outdoor meetings of 4 people from 2 households permitted.

5 April

Stay at home: Stay at home requirement removed.
Education: Return to full-time in person education for all remaining school pupils.
Gatherings: Outdoor meetings of 6 people from 2 households permitted.
Economy: More retail businesses being classified as essential. Click-and-collect permitted for non-essential retail.

26 April

Strategic (Levels) Framework: Return to a levels system, which includes regional variation based on data. Further detail will be published in mid-March.
Level 3: Initially the intention is that mainland Scotland will move to level 3. The islands currently at level 3 may drop to level 2, based on data.
Sport: The levels system will support the phased re-opening of sport. The detail of what activity will be permitted in each level will be confirmed in mid-March.

It is important to note that the timings are indicative and any changes will be driven by the data. It should also be noted that the dates set-out by UK Government on 22nd February do not apply to Scotland.

We will continue to work with colleagues in sportscotland and Scottish Government on the specific details directly related to sport and physical activity and will communicate this to you in due course.

If you have any questions then please get in touch:
Richard Yule
TTS Chief Operating Officer
richard.yule@tabletennisscotland.co.uk
07739 574 356 (M)