Stage 5: Regional starts today - 26/04/21

England Touch is today (Monday, April 26th, 2021) moving to Stage 5: Regional in the Association's Coronavirus Return to Play plans.

This means that the following is now possible:

• Regional tournaments of up to eight clubs
• Regional training and development activity
• In-person coaching and referee courses at regional locations

You can find more information in the guidance on safer travel.

Facility use

Facilities are permitted to open toilets for use by participants, but all other indoor areas should remain closed. Participants are required to come changed prior to activity.

Rules on changing and other indoor areas may be reviewed as part of the further easing of restrictions in the coming months.

Playing and training

Length of sessions and matches are no longer restricted to 75 minutes. There is also no longer any limit on the numbers of participants that can take place in organised Touch activity. However, any activity planned MUST be able to ensure that:

• Exposure to face-to-face contact is less than 3 seconds at all times and collective exposure at less than a metre is for no more than 15 minutes in total. Please consider this prior to planning longer training sessions or matches
• All participants, including, players, referees and coaches should remain socially distanced (2m apart) at all times before and after matches, as well as during any breaks in play. Please consider the space you have before confirming activity and numbers of participants
• All participants, including, players, referees and coaches should clean and sanitise their hands at least every 15 minutes
• All equipment, including balls, should be sanitised at least every 15 minutes. Sharing of equipment should be avoided, including bibs and shirts/vests

In order to assist with planning activity during this phase of the Return to Play, the ETA is recommending that you maintain a group size of no more than 30 participants on any one Touch field.

Spectators

Spectators are not permitted in any setting.

This does not apply to carers for people with disabilities, or adults needed to supervise under-18s in a safeguarding role. Where it is necessary for them to be present, supervising adults should not mix with others from outside their household or support bubble and should remain socially distanced at all times.

Further information

For further information, please initially contact your Club or League Covid-19 Officer.

For further information from the ETA, please email returntoplay@englandtouch.org.uk, or contact us via the COVID-19 WhatsApp group.