Covid-19: Information for MTA members relating to hill walking, climbing and mountaineering
Last updated on 10th August 2021We are committed to keeping our members informed with relevant information relating to Covid-19 across the UK and Ireland. We hope this will enable you to make responsibly informed decisions regarding any work and volunteering you do with your Mountain Training qualification, or to support your preparation for training and assessment courses.
We strongly believe in the benefits of gaining Mountain Training’s qualifications and the work that you do with them, leading, instructing and coaching, therefore we are committed to supporting you in any way we can. We are grateful to our workshop providers, volunteers and members for putting in place mitigation measures in an ever evolving landscape.
Along with Mountain Training we are liaising with the mountaineering councils and government agencies in all nations and endeavour to update this information as quickly as possible following any new announcement, bearing in mind that it often takes several days to digest and interpret any new guidance/legislation and reach an agreed conclusion.
England guidance
Ireland guidance
Northern Ireland guidance
Scotland guidance
Wales guidance
If you are due to attend a course please contact your course provider.
The guidelines from the governments of the four nations of the UK (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) and the Republic of Ireland, along with those from other national bodies will continue to evolve and may vary, and more localised lockdowns and restrictions within nations may bring its own challenges too. It is important that you stay up to date with these guidelines and find the latest information available before taking part in any activities.
We have pulled together some practical advice, helping you as established or developing outdoor professionals to consider practising outdoor activities in a Covid-19 world. It should be used in conjunction with the latest guidelines from your home nation government, advice from the
BMC,
Mountaineering Ireland or
Mountaineering Scotland and our own
‘Mountain Training Framework for Decision Making’ and regularly updated
Mountain Training course provision updates.
General guidance
General guidance for all members
Is what you might be planning safe, lawful, evidence-based, socially responsible, clear and realistic?
Understanding Covid-19
Any new hazard needs to be properly understood before it can be managed. Covid-19 is a hazard that we are all learning to manage and as we begin to make more independent decisions about our levels of activity, these three articles provide a good basis for understanding;
Covid-19: Expert answers to outdoor questions
Covid and the outdoors: Professor Ian Hall answers your questions
Will a Covid vaccine allow a return to normality?
Refamiliarization
Prior to operating in a leadership capacity we would encourage you, when it’s appropriate, to gain your own experience of the activity and approach with caution. Skill fade may have crept in and familiarity with safe practice may not have been part of your life for awhile.
- If you are an experienced practitioner, you will need to revert to being consciously competent and thinking about everything you do, rather than assuming you’ll do it right because you have years of experience. This will likely involve allowing more time for the activity and choosing your partners carefully.
- If you are developing your skills and experience in a particular activity, spend time getting to grips with the basics again and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you can’t remember something.
You are encouraged to carefully consider the level of challenge your activity presents in relation to your ability and competence.
In addition to this guidance we urge our members, as and when appropriate, to resume activity in a measured, sensitive and cautious manner. The reputation of the professional mountaineering community will be under unique scrutiny at this critical time.
Practical considerations
Travel
Is travel legal? Justifiable?
Is public transport necessary?
Is it possible to maintain social distancing whilst travelling?
Are there any restrictions affecting the place you’re planning to visit? For example, access restrictions due to nesting birds or closed premises? Check before you travel.
Overnight/longer term stays
Are these allowed?
Do the following encourage visits to specific areas or particular communities?
Health and hygiene
Have you thought about or written a risk assessment for managing PPE?
Avoid sharing anything that can be kept separate such as food and drinks, maps, compasses, sun cream etc.
Consider personal and shared use of activity-specific and disease control PPE e.g. ropes, harnesses, group shelter, face coverings, gloves etc.
Encourage everyone you’re with to bring and use their own hand sanitiser.
Social distancing and social contact limitations
What are the latest restrictions regarding social distancing and how many people from outside your household are you allowed to meet up with?
Is it possible to carry out the activity whilst observing social distancing?
Safe activity space
Risk assessments- If you are an employee or freelancer, your employer should provide you with new or updated risk assessments and procedures which include Covid-19. Make sure you understand them and ask questions if anything is unclear.
- If you work for yourself or are an employer, update your risk assessments and procedures to include Covid-19 and share them with your staff. Make sure they understand them and allow time for training and discussion.
- As well as a Covid-19 specific risk assessment, what impact will social distancing restrictions have on your existing risk assessments regarding things like spotting, teaching navigation and cleaning equipment?
The activity environment
Consider the nature of the activity within the physical space you’ll be in and be mindful of potential honeypot paths/sites, pinch points on narrow trails and parking – be creative and have several options in mind.
Working
Candidate health status
If you are working with clients, it’s reasonable to ask them to confirm, prior to attending a course, that they do not have Covid-19 symptoms and have not recently had symptoms (i.e. they are not currently isolating). This may form part of your risk assessment and be a requirement of the booking contract. Medical disclosure is more important than ever, and clients need to be encouraged to take ownership of any personal medical problems in order for you to plan and deliver a suitable experience.
Think about what information you might need to give or receive ahead of time.
Safety and Rescue
Mountain rescue teams are currently operating a very limited service, partly because of limits on the help they are able to safely offer while protecting their members on a call out. It is also clearly very difficult for a mountain rescue team to operate effectively while observing social distancing. So when walking, climbing or scrambling we should make sure we stay well within our capabilities, avoid taking any unnecessary risks, and work on the basis that mountain rescue help will be slower to respond with reduced capability if we get into any difficulties. Consider how you might respond to various safety and rescue scenarios.
Have you read the latest advice regarding first aid and CPR (links below)?
What changes will be required to your usual first aid protocols?
Are you aware of the current rescue provision status in the area you wish to work in?
How would you manage the situation if external help was compromised or not available?
Liability
Are you insured for the activities you’re undertaking?
If you’re working with others do you have appropriate insurance cover in place?
Have you spoken to your insurers about what’s covered?
If claims related to Covid-19 are not covered, have you made this clear to your staff and clients?
Consider adding a statement or acknowledgement of risk with regard to CV19 on your client’s booking forms.
Community Relations
Outdoor professionals need to communicate a strong sense of responsibility in helping keep everyone ‘Covid secure’ during any outdoor activity. Please also check other landowners for specific updates.
MTA members are role models and educators within the industry. We invite you all to continue to demonstrate best practice and set good examples for other hill/crag users (not just your clients) to follow and be inspired by.
Joint Association Statement for local lockdowns
Published 9th October 2020
As the current Coronavirus pandemic evolves MTA has worked with the other associations to provide members with the below statement and guidance to support them with local lockdowns as and when they come into force throughout 2020 and 2021.
Joint Associations Local Lockdown Statement
We hope this helps in your planning and decision making as activities resume in the UK and Ireland. With thanks to Mark Charlton and Phil Baker for permission to base this article on original work by BMG and AMI. This information is based on a document produced by representatives from the British Mountain Guides (BMG) and the Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI), and has been modified for Mountain Training Association members.
EnglandAdvice for members in England
Updated: 19/07/2021
The latest government guidance is available here.
As outlined within;
- If you think you might have COVID-19 symptoms, take a PCR test and stay home.
- Wear face coverings in crowded places to help protect others.
- Check in with the NHS COVID-19 app when you’re out.
- Wash your hands regularly and for at least 20 seconds with soap.
As a result of the recent easing of restrictions all Mountain Training course and MTA workshop delivery is now possible in England.
Although these greater freedoms will be welcomed by many of us please remain cautious and considerate to the needs of other candidates, local communities and the environment when attending courses.
Useful links:
Sport England 'Return to Play' FAQ's
Grassroots sports guidance for the public and sport providers
Grassroots sports guidance for safe provision including team sport, contact combat sport and organised sport events
Countryside Code in England
WalesAdvice for members in Wales
Updated: 21/07/2021
Wales completed the move to Alert Level 1 on Saturday 17th July 2021. Details of the current restrictions still in place can be found here.
In consideration of the move to Alert Level 1, all Mountain Training scheme delivery remains permissible in Wales.
In summary, the following headline restrictions remain in force across Wales:- Up to 6 people can meet indoors in private homes and holiday accommodation
- Organised indoor events for up to 1,000 seated or 200 standing can take place, subject to a risk assessment and taking reasonable measures
- Ice rinks can re-open
- Remove the legal restrictions on the number of people who can gather outdoors
- Allow up to 30 children from organisations, such as the Brownies and Scouts, to attend residential centres over the summer holidays
Furthermore, in Wales, you must:- Wear a face covering (if you are able to) in all indoor public places
- Only form an extended household with no more than 2 other households and they should stay the same
- Not meet with anyone other than your extended household or a maximum of five other people from different households indoors in your home
- Not meet with more than five other people in indoor regulated settings, such as cafes, restaurants and pubs (unless you are meeting with only people you live)
You should:- Observe social distancing with people you do not live with or who are not in your exclusive extended household
- Work from home if you can
- Minimise travel to areas of high prevalence
- Avoid international travel
Be advised that the removal of restrictions which took place on Monday 19th July in England do not apply in Wales, Ireland, and Scotland .
Useful links:
Covid alert levels information
Current restrictions summary
Countryside Code in WalesScotlandAdvice for members in Scotland
Updated: 31/08/2021
Most legal restrictions relating to Covid-19 were lifted on the 9th August 2021 when Scotland moved to ‘Beyond Level 0’. This includes travel restrictions within Scotland, physical distancing, and the size of people gatherings.
Whilst these changes will signal the end of most restrictions for sport and physical activity it will not however signal the end of the epidemic. Covid-19 is a disease that will need to be managed for the foreseeable future and to maintain progress in returning to more normality, it is important that people continue to abide by a set of baseline measures covered by Scottish Government guidance and where relevant legislation.
Although restrictions are being eased Scottish Government will retain the option of putting in place local measures and travel restrictions to manage any future virus outbreaks.
‘Give people space’
A number of mitigating measures will remain, including:- maintain and promote good ventilation
- wear face coverings in indoor sport and leisure facilities when not taking part in physical activity
- keep your distance if you can - ‘give people space’ messaging
- use good hand and respiratory hygiene and surface cleaning
- stay at home and book a test if you develop coronavirus symptoms
When a local area is operating ‘Beyond Level 0’ it is recommended that the ‘Give people space’ messaging is promoted by mountain related activity providers and their staff.
Leaders, instructors, coaches and guides, and others supporting organised mountain-related activity should if possible, keep physically distant, but it is recognised that this will not always be possible to ensure the safety of participants. In such circumstances the responsible ‘Covid Officer’ should consider appropriate mitigating actions as part of the risk assessment.
Test & Protect
The Test and Protect system will remain in place to support contact tracing. People who are symptomatic, including close contacts, should self-isolate for 10 days as per NHS Scotland guidance.
Close contacts 18 years of age or over who have been double vaccinated for more than 14 days or 5 to 17- year-olds, with no symptoms, will be able to take a PCR test and end self-isolation if the result is negative.
IMPORTANT: No one who is self-isolating should attend a sports facility or activity.
MTS COVID-19 Awareness and Mitigation on-line learning resource
Mountain Training Scotland has produced COVID-19 Awareness and Mitigation on-line learning resource. This course is designed to support MTS Providers, Course Directors and Course Staff deliver course within the COVID-19 restrictions. However much of what is covered will be useful for all Leaders, Instructors, Coaches and Guides as they deliver skills courses and guided days in the mountains and on the crags.
Appoint a COVID-19 Officer
All organised mountain-related activity should be overseen by a COVID-19 Officer and all providers of organised mountain-related activity should ensure they have an appointed COVID-19 officer.
Thank You
Mountain Training Scotland would like to thank to you all for your on-going support and sense of social responsibility that has ensured a high level of compliance with the various iterations of guidance.
Useful links:
MTS Guidance, for those (leaders, instructors, coaches and guides) involved in organised and formal led walking, scrambling & climbing (incl. indoor climbing and bouldering) activities in Scotland.
Mountaineering Scotland article - Guidance for hill walkers and climbers in Scotland
Scottish Government: What you can and can't do
Scottish Outdoor Access Code
VisitScotland
IrelandUpdated: 09/09/2021
The Irish government has issued new guidance on lockdown restrictions to move to permit inter county travel.
From 19th July- No travel restrictions in RoI
- Outdoor training of a maximum of 15 people
- Maintain appropriate hygiene measures both personal and for equipment rigorously in line with wider guidance on hygiene, for example by using antiviral spray and washing hands thoroughly before and after use.
- Maintain physical/social distancing of 2 metres as per government guidance.
Mountaineering Ireland & Mountain Training Board Ireland has considered the guidance above and believe it is possible for NGB Providers to engage in limited activity in Ireland subject to appropriate control measures, inter county travel and groups of up to 15 for outdoor training. At all times, you should continue to adhere to strict social distancing guidelines when you are outside your home, particularly ensuring you are two metres away from anyone outside your household.
Continuing from 2nd June (subject to the public health situation at the time)
Accommodation services (Hotels, B&B, self-catering and hostels) can reopen.
Continuing 19th July (subject to the public health situation at the time)
Climbing walls can open for individual training only.
To make any decision on whether to go ahead with an activity, please consider the usual factors and include those additional factors brought about by Covid – 19 including government guidance, parking, mountain rescue service capacity. Our guidance on safe practice in the outdoors issued to Mountain Training Association members may also prove useful. Leaders are responsible for the safety of staff, and group and will need to have satisfied their own risk assessment about Covid-19 as well as having appropriate insurance cover in place.
Although MI & MTBI appreciates that leaders have a genuine need to return to work and will be keen to get back to leading a cautious approach will be necessary to both limit the spread of infection and respect local sentiment. As such providers in Ireland should take note of local information and advice from organisations such as their own membership organisations (AMI, BAIML, BMG and MTA), Mountaineering Councils (MI, the BMC, MS), National Parks & Wildlife Services, National Park Authorities, Mountain Rescue Teams and local Tourist Boards. Leaders must consider the reputation of our sector and act accordingly.
It is important that our network of providers maintain the quality of what we do. We are presently considering how we can further support providers in these challenging times and welcome dialogue.
Finally, please note once again that this currently only affects providers in Ireland. As the situation develops in other countries, we will issue further coordinated updates. The guidance for Ireland may change in line with the Government’s advice and may need to be reversed if required.
Useful links:
Mountaineering Ireland
Irish Government Guidance
Mountaineering Ireland Good Practice GuideNorthern IrelandUpdated: 09/09/2021
The UK government lockdown restrictions allow travel within Northern Ireland and up to 10 people from 2 different households to meet in Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland.- Travel in Northern Ireland permitted.
- Groups of up to 15 people can take part in structured outdoor sports training,
- Maintaining hand and respiratory hygiene practices.
- Maintain physical/social distancing of 2 metres as per government guidance.
- You should also enforce strong hygiene measures. This might be cleaning any equipment rigorously in line with wider guidance on hygiene, for example by using antiviral spray and washing hands thoroughly before and after use.
Mountaineering Ireland & Mountain Training Board Ireland has considered the guidance above and believe it is possible for NGB providers to engage in limited activity in Northern Ireland, whilst following the government guidelines of travel group size x15 people (including trainers/coaches/leaders)
At all times, you should continue to adhere to strict social distancing guidelines when you are outside your home, particularly ensuring you are two metres away from anyone outside your household. It is really important that everyone continues to:- Follow the advice being offered by the Government based on medical and scientific evidence, including the current ‘stay at home’ advice while that remains in place
- Wash our hands regularly and in line with the best practice guidance.
- Have good respiratory hygiene in terms of coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the crook of your elbow.
- Follow the social distancing guidelines and stay two metres away from those outside your household whenever possible.
- Use face coverings (mouth and nose) when you are in enclosed spaces where social distancing cannot be maintained. For example, when using public transport and while in shops.
- Abide by the need to self-isolate either because you have symptoms or because you have been in touch with someone who has symptoms or has tested positive for coronavirus. This includes if contacted by the contact tracing arrangements in place.
- The NI Executive also ask those in society with responsibilities to exercise them in line with up-to-date public health guidance.
Activities do not lend themselves to involve overnight stays (including camping) or the use of indoor venues for briefings or debriefs.
Climbing walls and centres are open with a risk assessment required for group of over 15.
To make any decision on whether to go ahead with an activity, please consider the usual factors and include those additional factors brought about by Covid – 19 including government guidance, parking, mountain rescue service capacity. Our guidance on safe practice in the outdoors issued to Mountain Training Association members may also prove useful. Leaders are responsible for the safety of their staff and group, need to have satisfied their own risk assessment about Covid-19 as well as having appropriate insurance cover in place. Although MI & MTBI appreciates that leaders have a genuine need to return to work and will be keen to get back to leading a cautious approach will be necessary to both limit the spread of infection and respect local sentiment. As such providers in Northern Ireland should take note of local information and advice from organisations such as their own membership organisations (AMI, BAIML, BMG and MTA), Mountaineering Councils (MI, the BMC, MS), National Park Authorities, National Parks & Wildlife Services, Mountain Rescue Teams and local Tourist Boards. Leaders must consider the reputation of our sector or group and act accordingly. It is important that our network of providers maintain the quality of what we do. We are presently considering how we can further support providers during these challenging times and welcome dialogue.
Finally, please note once again that this currently only affects providers in Northern Ireland. As the situation develops in other countries, we will issue further coordinated updates. The guidance for Northern Ireland may change in line with the Government’s advice and may need to be reversed if required.
Useful links:
Mountaineering Ireland
nidirect.gov.uk
Countryside Code in Northern Ireland