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Covid-19 Restriction Update (Sept 13th)

GAA Handball wish to confirm that the following Covid-19 Restrictions have been updated since last week’s Government announcement.

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Restrictions in the 26 Counties

From September 20th

The following applies to competitive indoor sports training, competition and events.

Indoor:

  • Organised indoor sport can take place with capacity limits of 100 people (with appropriate protective measures) where all patrons are immune (fully vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 within previous 6 months) or accompanied minors (under 18).
  • Where patrons have mixed immunity status, training in pods of up to 6 participants will be permitted (this excludes adult coaches/instructors etc.).
  • Multiple pods will be permissible and should take into account the overall size of the venue. Substantial social distancing between individual pods should be implemented.
  • From September 20th, Dressing Rooms may be used as changing facilities only before and after games but with a maximum occupancy of 6 people at any one time.

Outdoor:

  • Removal of measures such as Pods of 15 in outdoor training etc.

From October 22nd

Based on the criteria of at or close to 90% of people 16 or over being fully vaccinated in the coming weeks and having regard to the incidence and behaviour of the disease at that time, the Government plan to remove further statutory restrictions in respect of events and activities from 22nd of October.

Some of the following key measures will be removed:

  • Formal requirements/mandates for physical distancing
  • Limits on numbers at outdoor events and engaging in sporting activities outdoors
  • Restrictions on indoor sports activities and other indoor leisure/community activities
  • Certification of immunity or testing as a prerequisite for access to, or engagement in, any activities or events (with exception of international travel)

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Current Restrictions in the 6 Counties

Outdoor:

  • All outdoor sport, whether organised formally by your local sports club or informally by a group of friends, is permitted.
  • To determine the maximum number of people permitted to attend or participate in an outdoor sporting activity/ event, the organiser or operator must carry out a risk assessment.
  • Outdoor sporting activities/ events of 30 people or fewer do not need a risk assessment.

Indoor:

  • All indoor sport, whether organised formally by your local sports club or informally by a group of friends, is permitted (subject to risk assessment and appropriate mitigations).
  • A risk assessment, as set out in the regulations, must be completed where there will be over 15 people taking part.
  • Changing rooms and shower facilities can be opened, but you should avoid or minimise use where possible (for example, by arriving in kit and showering at home) and minimise time spent in the changing area.
  • The return to sport protocols put in place by sports governing bodies should be strictly adhered to including hygiene measures, social distancing and other mitigations.

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General (Applies to both North and South)

The Health Questionnaires should continue to be completed ahead of all training sessions and games and the Return to Play guidelines issued previously should continue to be adhered to. The Health Questionnaire was recently updated to reflect the additional symptoms associated with the Delta variant. 

It is important to note, that regardless of whether a player/participant is vaccinated or not, if they have any of the symptoms associated with Covid and detailed on the Health Questionnaire, they should not attend a training session or game.

The Health Questionnaire is available at returntoplay.gaa.ie

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