{"id":20574,"date":"2020-10-30T16:17:17","date_gmt":"2020-10-30T16:17:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bmaba.org.uk\/clubs\/?p=20574"},"modified":"2021-02-01T12:11:25","modified_gmt":"2021-02-01T12:11:25","slug":"the-latest-updates-on-tier-3-who-can-cant-teach-martial-arts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bmaba.org.uk\/clubs\/the-latest-updates-on-tier-3-who-can-cant-teach-martial-arts\/","title":{"rendered":"The Latest Updates On Tier 3 – Who Can & Can’t Teach, Plus Q&As"},"content":{"rendered":"

As more and more local authorities are brought under the ‘Tier 3 – Very High Risk’ grade in England and Wales, we have tried to put together a condensed version of current guidelines to assist clubs and instructors on continuity planning for the weeks ahead.<\/h3>\n

Clearly this is going to be the hardest period since lock-down for Martial Arts in terms of additional measures but the initial indications are that very few regions are restricted from teaching completely. We know Christmas is approaching, and with dark wet nights making outdoor instruction almost impossible, we are acutely aware of (and actively campaigning against) further restrictions on grass roots indoor sports clubs.<\/h4>\n

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Before We Begin<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Let’s start with what should be a fairly obvious caveat, but one we must make clear for the sake of being ‘upfront’. The guidance below is based on the best available data and insights to hand at the time of publishing. It’s not necessarily going to be fool-proof however, as we continue to receive queries from local authorities asking us what this means for martial arts, so the prospect of a clear and definite answer is somewhat hard to assure.<\/p>\n

We are recommending every club seeks out guidance from their local authority before making any decision to continue or to stop teaching. If they are unsure or if you receive a response that does not sound well informed, you should seek clarity from our policy team here who will be happy to help.<\/p>\n

This guidance is specifically looking at England, as we have separate advice going out on a regularly basis for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

If you are told that you can not continue teaching, please remember to ask for the direct .GOV guidance to confirm this<\/strong> as sadly we have numerous accounts of local authorities offering incorrect information.<\/p>\n

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A Foreword From Our CEO, Giovanni<\/h2>\n

This is going to be by and large our greatest mountain as martial arts instructors and coaches. The next two months will present a tightening of restrictions across growing parts of the UK combined with darker nights, wetter weather and more general confusion on what the rules are. At this point, please be assured that BMABA continues to do absolutely everything within our power to support you and your clubs. We have now invested and sacrificed in-excess of \u00a3100,000 into keeping our clubs alive during COVID and this is entirely without any support from the Government, DCMS, Sport England or any other agencies. I would not sanction and sign off over a tenth of a million pounds of what is effectively the association’s self-generated income to keep alive something we know is not long-term viable.<\/p>\n

Martial arts is. We will<\/strong> bounce. We continue to thrive. It’s challenging right now but we will rise to this. Behind the scenes we are investing more money than ever before into helping clubs modernise. We are also partitioning directly to MPs and contacts at the DCMS on a Return To Play for martial arts and we continue to make good progress.<\/p>\n

If we collectively move through the Christmas period, 2021 will bring much more positive times for martial arts. We will roll with each other again. We will spar. We will kick shields, elbow thai pads and strike focus mitts. The training we all know and love, and the training we know your students love is, we trust, only now a matter of months away.<\/p>\n

Hang in there and don’t be afraid to speak with the team here if you need any help – we’re here to help today, just as we have been throughout lockdown, and as we will be beyond.<\/p>\n

– Giovanni Soffietto, BMABA Group CEO<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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“Who Is Now Under Tier 3, And What Does This Mean For Martial Arts?”<\/h2>\n

Let’s start by establishing the ‘baseline’ or ‘minimum’ restrictions. This is helpful, because it allows us to know what the default position is and allows us to plan accordingly. Local areas have the option of imposing additional restrictions if they feel it necessary and it is effectively this action that may jeapordise indoor martial arts training.<\/p>\n

Unless specified by the local authority, even in tier 3 (very high) risk areas, the following applies;<\/p>\n

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Sport and physical activity<\/h3>\n

Additional restrictions may apply depending on discussions between central and local government.<\/p>\n

You can take part in organised outdoor sport and physical activity, including exercise classes, in any number, provided this follows the relevant guidance (for team sports, or for other outdoor licensed physical activity and exercise classes).<\/p>\n

Organised sport, exercise classes and other activity groups are only permitted indoors if it is possible for people to avoid mixing with people they do not live with (or share a support bubble with). Where it is likely that households (or support bubbles) will mix, these activities must not go ahead. Social interaction before and after any sport or exercise should be limited to people from the same household or support bubble.<\/p>\n

There are exceptions for disability sport, sport for educational purposes and supervised sport and physical activity for under-18s, which can take place in any number. (Source: .GOV)<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This effectively means that martial arts across all Tiers is not impacted by the additional measures\u00a0except<\/strong> where additional restrictions are imposed by local authorities. This will require you to seek out the latest guidance specifically issued by your local authority to be absolutely certain.<\/p>\n

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Important: This list was last updated on 30th October 2020 by the Government. You should check here<\/a> to ensure this has not changed since. We will do our best to amend this list over time, but given the frequent changes it is possible it may not be always up to date.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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You should go to the next section to see what specific additional restrictions might be in place if you are teaching within one of the below areas.<\/p>\n

Cheshire<\/h3>\n