The Northern Ireland Executive guidance for Exercising and Sports as it relates to Rowing.

There may be further guidance relevant to educational settings.

FAQ’sQuestionAnswerReasoning (Information Resource)
1Can outdoor training take place?Yes.To determine the number of people permitted to attend or participate in an outdoor gathering, the person responsible for the gathering must carry out a risk assessment, and take all reasonable measures to limit risk of transmission.   Outdoor sporting activities/events of 30 or fewer do not need a risk assessment.
2Can club members travel outside their county?Yes.There is no restriction on inter-county travel. Guidance for travelling both internationally and within the Common Travel Area during the COVID-19 pandemic can be found at travel advice and guidance on the NI direct website
3Can changing rooms and club houses remain open?Yes.Changing rooms and shower facilities can be used, but you should avoid or minimize time spent where possible (for example, by arriving in kit and showering at home) and increase cleaning and ventilation.
4Can Gyms with plenty of room and ventilation be used while maintaining social distancing and apply strict sanitation protocols?Yes.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.
5Can outdoor rowing events take place?Yes.To determine the number of people permitted to attend or participate in an outdoor gathering, the person responsible for the gathering must carry out a risk assessment, and take all reasonable measures to limit risk of transmission.   Outdoor sporting activities/events of 30 or fewer do not need a risk assessment.  
6Can indoor competition take place?Yes.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.
7Can members travel together to and from training/events?Yes.Travel to and from sporting events When sharing transport e.g. private car when travelling to and from venues, it is important to maintain a flow of clean air though the vehicle. Ideally by opening windows back and front.
8Who do we need to keep contact details of during club activities?Yes.Record keeping A person responsible for an indoor sports facility, a gym, or an activity centre is required to obtain visitor information (participants and coaches) and record this in a filing system for 21 days from the visit.
9Does our club require a COVID-19 Compliance Officer?Yes.Designating COVID compliance officers is a good way to help with coordination of risk mitigation actions.
10Should the use of the covid doc 1 & 2 documents on the Rowing Ireland website continue to be used for events?Yes.The covdoc1 and covdoc2 documents have been updated to reflect the current guidance from the relevant governments.

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.

Any behaviour which may encourage the risk of transmission around sports activities, such as car sharing, congregation of people on the side-lines and sporting celebrations, should be avoided. 

Sports governing bodies have a responsibility to ensure full compliance with the protocols and are expected to put arrangements in place to deal with non-compliant clubs, participants and coaches.  

Please see Sport Northern Ireland Return to Sport Guidance sportni.net/return-to-sport/ and NI Direct government services. nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-regulations-and-guidance-what-they-mean-you#toc-13