Scottish Swimming Issue Reminder With Lockdown Restrictions To Be Eased From Friday

Duncan Scott; Photo Courtesy: Deepbluemedia/Giorgio Scala

Scottish Swimming have sounded a note of caution after Nicola Sturgeon announced the further easing of lockdown restrictions on Thursday.

From Friday Scotland will move into phase two of a four-step plan in response to the coronavirus pandemic as the Government gradually lift restrictions.

It means people who live alone or with children under 18 can form an “extended household group” so they can meet indoors and stay overnight without social distancing.

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From Monday face masks will be mandatory on public transport, taxis and private-hire cabs and enclosed areas on ferries although people are still being asked to work from home wherever possible and to stay in their local area.

That means not travelling more than five miles for leisure and recreation.

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Scottish Swimming has welcomed the easing of restrictions but have issued a reminder that swimming is still in Phase One with further guidance expected on Monday 22 June.

As it stands, there is no return in sight to training for the likes of Duncan Scott, Aimee Willmott and Ross Murdoch at the University of Stirling.

That contrasts with their counterparts south of the border of which 32 have been allowed to return to the pool at the National Centres at Loughborough and Bath.

The statement from Scottish Swimming read:

“The latest announcement from the Scottish Government about the staggered progression into Phase Two of the route map out of lockdown is a really positive move for our sport and we welcome getting a step closer to a return to aquatics in Scotland.

“While this move is a good step in the right direction we must continue to acknowledge that Covid-19 has not been eradicated and we can’t afford to be complacent about its ongoing threat to our health and wellbeing. We continue to work closely with the Scottish Government, Public Health Scotland, sportscotland and aquatics partners across the UK to develop plans for aquatics which are safe and manageable and which would not put added or new pressure on our key workers. We therefore ask that you make note of the following:

Public health and wellbeing remains the most pressing priority
We all have a responsibility to do what we can to continue to supress the spread of the virus
In terms of sport, we remain in Phase One and there will be no change to the guidance until Monday 22 June
This is not a return to sport but a further extension of exercise guidelines
Documents being produced about a return to aquatics in Scotland are being developed in a careful and considered way, working with key partners including Pool Providers

“We of course would like to see a return to aquatics for all our members, but at this stage, we must continue to work with the Scottish Government and sportscotland as they guide us through each phase of the route map out of lockdown.

“The First Minister said today, “Patience could reap our biggest reward.””

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