Covid-19 Restrictions in Scotland - FAQs

Please be aware that Government guidance and laws are always evolving - if we become aware of any changes we will keep you updated here and on our social channels.

Please always check that you are insured for any activity you are doing, and make sure you have permission to use any public outdoor spaces.

When working within the guidance below, we would urge everyone to exercise caution and prioritise the safety of themselves, clients and the wider community. Please always maintain social distancing and good hygiene protocols.

Further resources
sportscotland detailed guidance for coaches.
Scottish Government guidance.

Updated 13 July 2021

All of Scotland will move to Level 0 from 00:01 on Monday 19 July.
Please click here for details.

From 00:01 on Monday 19 July:

• Physical distancing in Level 0 will reduce to 1 metre in all indoor public settings and outdoors.
• Informal social gatherings of up to 15 people from 15 households will be permitted outdoors, without physical distancing.
• Gatherings of up to 10 people from four households will be permitted in all indoor public settings, with 1 metre physical distancing.
• Under 12s will also no longer count towards the number of households that can gather indoors in public spaces and homes.

FAQs

Can I run personal training, sport or group exercise sessions outdoors?

All organised outdoor sports, personal training and coaching is permitted for adults and under 18s, provided appropriate safety measures are followed and with these limits on group sizes:

• Level 0: 500 participants (not including instructors, coaches or officials)
• Level 1: 100 participants (not including instructors, coaches or officials)
• Level 2: 50 participants (not including instructors, coaches or officials)
• Level 3: 30 participants
• Level 4: 15 participants

Children under 5 are not counted towards the gatherings limits for exercising outside.

‘Organised sporting or physical activity’ refers to activities which are undertaken in a structured and managed way following specific rules and guidance of relevant SGBs, local authorities or businesses who in turn have fully applied related Scottish Government and sportscotland guidance. All organised activity should be overseen by a Covid Officer with documented risk assessments undertaken and mitigating actions put in place to ensure the health, safety and welfare of participants, coaches and officials.

For sessions in private gardens please see below.

Contact sport outdoors

At Level 0-2, outdoor contact and non-contact sport is permitted for adults and children. At Level 3, contact sport is permitted outdoors for under-18s, but not for adults.

Contact sport is defined as “a sport or activity in which the participants necessarily come into bodily contact or as a matter of course encroach within 2m of one another” such as Judo, Netball and Basketball.

Can I work with more than one client or group per day (outdoors) provided there is no overlap?

Yes, however there are daily limits for the total number of participants.

• Level 0: no limit
• Level 1: 1000 participants
• Level 2: 500 participants
• Level 3: 200 participants

Can outdoor sports facilities open?

Operators may open outdoor sports areas, courts and pitches if documented risk assessments are undertaken and all appropriate measures are put in place to ensure the safety of participants, staff and volunteers and where activity is undertaken in line with guidance for the appropriate protection level. Please also refer to guidance produced by sportscotland at: Getting Your Facilities Fit for Sport.

Do I or my clients need to check in using the Protect Scotland app?

Use of the app is recommended, although it is not compulsory. If you do not use the app you must still keep a record of attendees for test and trace purposes.

What are the travel restrictions for sport and physical activity?

Participants aged 18 years or over can travel to and from a Level 0, 1 and 2 area to take part in organised sport, physical activity, training and competition. They should not travel to a Level 3 or 4 area.

Adults living in a Level 3 area should only travel locally or to another Level 3 area to take part in organised sport or physical activity.

Adults living in a Level 4 area should only travel locally to take part in organised sport or physical activity.

Adults living in a Level 3 or Level 4 area can also travel out with their local government area to take part in informal exercise such as walking, cycling, golf or running. Such activity should follow Scottish Government ‘local protection levels’ guidance.

There are different rules on travel for under-18s. See the sportscotland guidance for further details.

Can I provide equipment for outdoor sessions?

You should aim to minimise the use of equipment or ask clients to provide their own where possible. If you need to provide equipment, follow the sportscotland guidance on cleaning, sanitisation and risk assessment.

Can I use a gazebo or similar structure for outdoor sessions?

You can use a gazebo or canopy, provided it is open on two sides, provides adequate ventilation and does not create an enclosed space.

Can I run training sessions in a private garden?

Level 0
Up to 15 people (not including under-12s) from 15 households can meet in a private garden for informal exercise or sport.

Level 1
Up to 12 people (not including under-12s) from 12 households can meet in a private garden for informal exercise or sport.

If you are running an organised group exercise session, following the above guidance for organised sport and the space allows social distancing to be maintained, you can have larger groups in a private outdoor space. Please check the sportscotland guidance for details.

Level 2
Up to 8 people (not including under-12s) from 8 households can meet in a private garden for informal exercise or sport.

If you are running an organised group exercise session, following the above guidance for organised sport and the space allows social distancing to be maintained, you can have larger groups in a private outdoor space. Please check the sportscotland guidance for details.

Level 3
Up to 6 people (not including under-12s) from 6 households can meet in a private garden for informal exercise or sport.

If you are running an organised group exercise session, following the above guidance for organised sport and the space allows social distancing to be maintained, you can have a group of up to 15 people (including the instructor) in a private outdoor space. Please check the sportscotland guidance for details.

Level 4
Up to 4 people (not including under-12s) from 2 households can meet in a private garden for informal exercise or sport.

If you are running an organised group exercise session, following the above guidance for organised sport and the space allows social distancing to be maintained, you can have a group of up to 15 people (including the instructor) in a private outdoor space. Please check the sportscotland guidance for details.

Can I run personal training sessions inside a private home?

Level 0
Up to 10 people from 4 households (not including under 12s) can meet indoors. Personal training and exercise can take place in line with these rules, however adherence to ventilation and the appropriate risk assessment, use of space and 1m distancing is still required.

Level 1&2
Up to 6 people from 3 households (not including under 12s) can meet indoors. Personal training can take place in line with these rules, however adherence to ventilation and the appropriate risk assessment, use of space and distancing is still required.

Level 3&4
You should not meet anyone who is not in your household indoors in a private dwelling.

What is the guidance for indoor activity?

Level 0
Gyms and leisure facilities can open in line with the guidance for facilities. Contact and non-contact sport and physical activity is permitted indoors for adults and under-18s, including group activity.

Level 1&2
Gyms and leisure facilities can open in line with the guidance for facilities. Contact and non-contact sport and physical activity is permitted indoors for under-18s. Non-contact sport is permitted indoors for adults, including group activity.

Level 3
Gyms and leisure facilities can open in line with the guidance for facilities. For adults, this is for individual exercise only, however 1:1 personal training is permitted. Contact and non-contact sport and physical activity is permitted indoors for under-18s.

The number of participants allowed to take part in indoor sport or physical activity must be risk assessed by the operator following Scottish Government Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on the opening of indoor and outdoor sport and leisure facilities and sport specific SGB Guidance.

sportscotland defines contact sport or activity as a sport or activity in which the participants necessarily come into bodily contact or as a matter of course encroach within 2m of one another, such as Judo, Netball and Basketball.

Should I wear a face covering indoors?

Face coverings must be worn by coaches when indoors, except where an exemption applies or during physical activity (see the sportscotland guidance for more details).

Are there exceptions for people with disabilities?

Where a disabled participant requires functional support to help them participate, coaches can provide this without maintaining physical distancing. In such circumstances you should consider appropriate mitigating actions as part of the risk assessment. For instance, providing appropriate PPE, limiting the number of participants an individual provides functional support to, limiting the duration spent in close proximity, or a combination of actions.

Are there exceptions for elite sports coaching and training?

Professional & performance sports with Resumption of Performance Sport guidance in place and approved by Scottish Government or sportscotland is permitted at all Levels.