Covid-19 Step 3 Update

Published 11:14 on 14 May 2021

As we are all aware the country has made great progress in suppressing the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result of this the Government has confirmed that from Monday 17^th May Step 3 of the Covid-19 Spring Roadmap will take effect, with a major relaxation of current restrictions.

Spinnaker Sailing Club has reviewed the amended guidance, and is ready to take another step forward in the reopening of Club facilities. The support of member's in following the guidance from the Government, and the Spinnaker Sailing Club policies/procedures has been vital in our response and reopening to date. This support and co-operation from our members will continue to be important as we open up the Club further from 17^th May.

Within the member's area of the website you are able to access the updated Covid-19 Risk Assessment and Covid Secure documentation. Version 5 of the Covid Secure Documentation is in effect until Monday 17th May, when Version 6 will take effect, This provides full details of how we are working as a Club to keep everyone safe whilst allowing as much activity and access to facilities as safe and legal to do so.

At this time we will continue to require members to wear face coverings when using indoor areas including the changing rooms and main clubhouse area unless they are legally exempted from wearing a face covering or are eating/drinking. We also continue to require members to register they are on site using the Club Website for Test and Trace purposes.

A summary of the changes which will take effect from Monday 17^th May is below:

• The main clubhouse area will be open for up to 12 individuals at a time to use for social purposes please note our theoretical maximum capacity is higher than this to allow access to this area for Club Staff, members performing duties and access to the coffee machine to take drinks outside. Each gathering indoors must not exceed 6 individuals. Can I emphasise that at this time the front galley remains off limit to all individuals unless authorised in advance by the Chief Instructor.
• Informal gatherings of up to 30 individuals are permitted in outdoor areas.
• We will be returning to mixed-household safety boat crews if both the helm and crew are comfortable with close contact during their duty. (We may still have single crewed safetyboats at times).
• We will be introducing a "voluntary" signing on system for racing, where participants are encouraged to notify the Race Officer they will be racing verbally, along with their sail number and what boat they are in. The Race Officer or their assistant can then record this information without any objects being shared.

As part of our ongoing management of club equipment we are changing the products we use to sanitise our equipment. We are now using a product called "Zwype" to sanitise boats and equipment, and a product called "Zybax" to sanitise buoyancy aids, waterproofs and helmets. Both of these products have already been used extensively in sailing clubs and centres across the country with no adverse effects reported. Should you like more information on these new products please contact the Chief Instructor.

Thank you for your continued support in allowing the club to resume normal activity, and we look forward to seeing members using our facilities more in the coming weeks.

Should you have any questions please get in touch.

Last updated 09:41 on 20 December 2023