Covid 19 Update - 18/09/20
I am updating this information as and when the UK and/or Scottish Governments update their advice.
As a mountain professional, I am following the Scottish government guidelines, and particularly the advice of Mountaineering Scotland and the British Mountaineering Council.
Currently we are at Phase 3 of the Scottish government's route map out of Lockdown. For us as hill-goers, we can travel beyond our local area, and we can still meet in extended groups outdoors. Holiday accommodation is open, but is of course now restricted to 6 people from only 2 households. Hospitality has various restrictions that may/may not affect us, and this needs to be checked locally.
'Formal led mountain-related outdoor activity' is, as I understand it, the same as 'outdoor sporting activities', and as such, we are exempt from the rule of 2 households. I will not guide more than 5 people on the hill whilst this is in force, so currently this is therefore acceptable.
In order to avoid deliberate close contact, I will not be guiding any scrambling routes where I would expect to need to assist or 'spot' a client.
On the day, what is now standard and basic hygiene rules will be followed, including but not exclusively -
DO NOT present yourself for a day out if you have any symptoms, or have had to self-isolate and are still within that period of requirement
Maintaining a safe distance from each other
Avoiding sharing drinks, food or sweets with the group
Avoid sharing equipment
Avoid car-sharing, unless it is someone in your household
Limit touching surfaces mutually, e.g. gates or styles, and use sanitiser as soon as practicable if you have done so, or indeed prior to doing so
Carry a face covering in case of unforseen circumstances where proximity is unavoidable
Carry hand sanitiser and use it regularly
I hope, like I am sure you do, that this will be over soon, but until such time, I will be adhering to these priciples and following government advice.
Johnny
I am updating this information as and when the UK and/or Scottish Governments update their advice.
As a mountain professional, I am following the Scottish government guidelines, and particularly the advice of Mountaineering Scotland and the British Mountaineering Council.
Currently we are at Phase 3 of the Scottish government's route map out of Lockdown. For us as hill-goers, we can travel beyond our local area, and we can still meet in extended groups outdoors. Holiday accommodation is open, but is of course now restricted to 6 people from only 2 households. Hospitality has various restrictions that may/may not affect us, and this needs to be checked locally.
'Formal led mountain-related outdoor activity' is, as I understand it, the same as 'outdoor sporting activities', and as such, we are exempt from the rule of 2 households. I will not guide more than 5 people on the hill whilst this is in force, so currently this is therefore acceptable.
In order to avoid deliberate close contact, I will not be guiding any scrambling routes where I would expect to need to assist or 'spot' a client.
On the day, what is now standard and basic hygiene rules will be followed, including but not exclusively -
DO NOT present yourself for a day out if you have any symptoms, or have had to self-isolate and are still within that period of requirement
Maintaining a safe distance from each other
Avoiding sharing drinks, food or sweets with the group
Avoid sharing equipment
Avoid car-sharing, unless it is someone in your household
Limit touching surfaces mutually, e.g. gates or styles, and use sanitiser as soon as practicable if you have done so, or indeed prior to doing so
Carry a face covering in case of unforseen circumstances where proximity is unavoidable
Carry hand sanitiser and use it regularly
I hope, like I am sure you do, that this will be over soon, but until such time, I will be adhering to these priciples and following government advice.
Johnny