Covid-19 Event Guidance

The following press release was issued by the ACU on 4th March 2021.

Coronavirus (Covid-19): ACU Motorcycle Sport and Travel

Following the Prime Minister’s address to the nation on 4th January, it is important to emphasise the clear message by the UK Government that we must all Stay At Home. The single most important action we can all take is to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives.

ACU members should be aware that current UK Government advice states that we should all minimise the time spent outside our homes, but we can leave our homes to exercise. This should be limited to once per day, and we should not travel outside the locality of where we live. Exercise can be taken in a public outdoor place:

• by yourself
• with the people you live with
• with your support bubble (if you are legally permitted to form one)
• in a childcare bubble where providing childcare
• or, when on your own, with one person from another household

For elite and amateur sports people, individuals and their Coaches can work together on a one-to-one basis for physical training following social distancing rules and staying in the locality of where they live but travelling long distances to meet up and train is not permitted. The government and devolved administration guidelines have made it clear that all UK sports venues inside and outdoors must remain closed until further notice.
ACU Chairman Roy Humphrey commented, “These are hard times for all, a third national lockdown is tough, but as we have all seen from the news, very necessary to try and minimise the pressure on the NHS which as we know is currently at critical levels all over the country as more and more people are getting infected by coronavirus. The message is clear, stay at home, minimise your travel and by all means train within the guidelines, that means physical training with the people you live with or with one other person. Most importantly, ACU members should not be out and about using a motorbike for recreational or training purposes, that goes completely against the UK Government guidelines. We are all part of and represent the ACU, either as competitors, Officials or Members. We are the governing body, as recognised by the UK Government and many other organisations and as such we all need to act responsibly. There is light at the end of the tunnel, we just need to be patient, adhere to the rules and support the NHS”.

There should be no organised motorcycle sport activity in any form (i.e. training, practice or competition) until UK Government restrictions are reviewed. The ACU will monitor all government announcements and adjust ACU rules accordingly.

As you will no doubt be aware most of the Eastern Centre currently falls under Tier 4 status; and as of Boxing Day the rest of the Centre will be covered by this level of restriction.

The ACU issued a statement on December 21st covering the Welsh Lockdown and Tier 4 restrictions in England which have been forwarded to all clubs within our Centre. Just so that no-one is in any doubt the following sentence from the statement is the most important, and should be adhered to by all of us:

With immediate effect in the Tier 4 areas of England and for Wales it is simple, all organised events are cancelled until the Prime Minister and First Minister for Wales announces the easing of lockdown restrictions.

The Chairman of the ACU, Roy Humphrey, also reinforced the message, "As I’ve said before, although we think motorcycle sport is important, in the grand scheme of things, it isn’t. We need to consider the impact on the NHS which is under a massive strain, we need to do our bit and follow the rules. The perception of the sport is important, whilst the NHS is under the pressure it is given the spread of the new strain of Coronavirus, for organised motorcycle sport to be held in these Tier 4 areas would be irresponsible. We just need to follow the rules issued by the UK Government and those announced by the First Minister of Wales”.

Let’s hope the new year brings with it an end to this current situation so that we can all enjoy each other’s company, and perhaps, get out on our bikes again! Stay safe, and remember, we have many ways of communication these days so if you are on your own don’t be shy - get in touch with a friend and talk about the good old days!!

A3 Keep Your Distance Blue
A3 Please Queue Responsibily Blue
A3 Please Use Hand Sanitiser Blue
A3 Social Distance
A3 Stop Spread Hand Sanitiser

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In light of the guidance from ACU head office that local authorities should be contacted about ALL events that are being run on an ACU permit we have put together a list which covers all the venues that are currently, or have in recent years, been used for one type of event or another and the relevant council to contact. Many of the councils have an online form to complete and ask for any other covering documentation. The ACU have provided a covering letter which gives a brief overview of our sporting disciplines, and the fact that our events are Covid-19 secure to support any approach to a local authority.

My suggestion, especially for those of you who are running small (less than 300 people at the event and/or no spectators) is that you send your normal risk assessment, your Covid-19 risk assessment, and the ACU covering letter to the relevant authority. If you have received it then a copy of your permit would be good too. You are not asking for their permission to run the event, just being courteous and informing when and where the event is taking place. In the vast majority of cases, you will hear no more, or just receive an acknowledgement of you correspondence.

Important information for those of you who use a venue within the Braintree Council local authority please contact the Centre Permit secretary prior to any correspondence with the council.

Hopefully this will all revert to pre Covid-19 protocols some time during next year but in the meantime please follow the National Govt and ACU guidance so that we are doing, and being seen to be done, everything we can to organise our sport in a safe and secure manner for both our participants, and for the wider general public as well.

Click on the link below to download an Excel spreadsheet containing venues and Safety Advisory Groups in the ACU Eastern region.

The Restart of Offroad Sport 28th May 2020 (Word Document)
Covid19 Grasstrack Risk Assesment (pdf)

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Covid-19 Time Card Enduro Risk Assessment 29th March 2021 (pdf)
Covid-19 Sprint Enduro Risk Assessment 29th March 2021 (pdf)
Covid-19 Cross Country Hare & Hounds Enduro Risk Assessment 29th March 2021 (pdf)
Covid-19 Extreme Enduro Risk Assessment 29th March 2021 (pdf)

Click on links above to view/download documents

Covid-19 Trials Risk Assessment 29th March 2021 (pdf)
Trials and Enduro Press Statement 2 16th July 2020 (pdf)
Restricted Trials under COVID-19 29th May 2020 (pdf)

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Resumption of Youth Training & Practice (These guidelines apply to England and IOM only) 
We know that everyone is keen for the resumption of youth activity as soon as it is safe and appropriate for them to do so and following the publication of the latest government guidelines on exercise, the ACU are happy to announce that youth training and practice can resume in England and the IOM in line with current training and practice timelines. This decision is based on government guidelines detailing the use of public spaces, outdoor activity and exercise. In case you haven’t seen the latest guidance the link to the document is given below: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-phased-return-of-sport-and-recreation/guidance-for-the-public-on-the-phased-return-of-outdoor-sport-and-recreation   

Training: Under the new social distancing guidelines, which allow up to, but no more than six people to gather, parents can take their children to a 1-1 coaching or training session, as long as the gathering does not exceed six people. Any sports coaches or trainers undertaking 1-1 sessions should ensure they are complying with relevant ACU guidance/advice and conduct a thorough risk assessment before engaging in any sessions. This should include particular consideration for under 18s and vulnerable adults. 

Practice Events: The latest Government advice is that it is important children have as many chances to be as active as possible, so, youth participation can now be included in Practice Permits. With immediate effect, permit applications may be sent to the relevant Discipline Secretary to apply for a Practice Permit for practice events including youth to commence from 8th June. An updated Covid-19 Risk Assessment with guidance on youth practice will be produced for each discipline in due course and sent out by Race Secretaries. 

It is important to say that any return to activity must take account of local conditions and any risk assessment for normal activities should be undertaken as well as ensuring that all government guidance around Covid-19 is taken into account.

Summary of dates:
Activity_________________ Permit Application Date_____ Event Date
Coaching/Training _______ 27th May 2020 ____________ 1st June 2020
Practice Events__________ 1st June 2020 _____________ 8th June 2020

We will update Centres and Clubs in Scotland and Wales when Devolved Governments review their current guidelines 

Kind regards
Neil Doctor
Assistant General Secretary
Telephone: 01788 566434
Website: acu.org.uk

Clubs can now apply for practice permits from the ACU Office for Practice Days taking place from 8th June and include Youth classes if they wish.

The Restart of Offroad Sport 28th May 2020 (Word Document)
Practice - Test Permit Guidelines (Word Document)
Overview (Word Document)
ACU MX Race Event - Covid19 Risk Assessment v6 (pdf)
ACU MX Practice Event - Covid19 Risk Assessment v8 (pdf)

Click on links above to view/download documents