Return to lettings with confidence – your guide to planning for a safe re-opening

As the lock-down restrictions ease, we are seeing lots of interest in activities restarting across our partner schools.  The Government’s up-to-date guidance for community facilities sets out how venues can start to introduce activities safely and confidently.

Take a look online at the latest Government guidance around sports and recreational activities:

• COVID-19: Guidance for the safe use of multi-purpose community facilities
• Protective measures for out-of-school settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
• Guidance for providers of outdoor facilities on the phased return of sport and recreation in England

Having reviewed the guidance and discussed with our partner schools, introducing outdoor sports and children’s summer holiday camps, as a priority, will be a good place to start. For schools and other community venues looking to re-open for similar activities over the coming months, we have put together a checklist of things to consider:

Evaluate the risks

• Identify suitable facilities which can be safely used by visitors – this may include lower-risk spaces such as outdoor MUGA’s and pitches and spaces which have separate access and egress.
• Define the responsibilities of your staff and hirers in order to comply with the Government guidelines – use our COVID 19 Site Risk Assessment template to help you.
• Produce a COVID 19 cleaning plan – this will likely involve more frequent cleaning of spaces that are being used, but may also require additional cleaning products, equipment and training for staff.

Outline expectations

• Ensure hirers are aware of the Government guidelines – set out what is expected from them on arrival at your site.
• Ask hirers to supply you with a risk assessment for their own activities – stating how they will ensure they are compliant with the Government guidelines.
• Ensure hirers will be collecting up-to-date contact details for all group attendees – contact details can then be used for track and trace purposes.
• Ensure all attendees arrive ready for their activity – this will eliminate the need for use of changing facilities in site.

Get site ready

• Ensure your lettings team are fully briefed on theirs and hirers’ responsibilities – your team may require additional training on new COVID 19 protocols.
• Introduce clear and appropriate signage – direct users, ensure social distancing and highlight users’ responsibilities, this may also include the installation of sanitising stations for users and staff.
• Consider whether additional staff are needed to manage entrances, exits and other communal areas – you may need to consider staggering activity start and end times so that you can safely manage arrival and departure from site.

If you are feeling overwhelmed about re-opening your school to community lettings, get in touch now to find out how our BookingsPlus software can help you.