Dear members:

AGB have been in contact with the insurers with regards to cover during the current pandemic.

“At the present time we can only advise you and your clubs to follow the government advice. Within any insurance policy there is a reasonable precautions condition and if the club are deliberately ignoring advice or acting recklessly this may impact on the liability indemnity being available.

All clubs should record their decisions and reasons to proceed or not with their activities, and ensure that risk assessment and risk management is considered through their process. 

The health and wellbeing of everyone being of primary importance as per the governments guidance.”

AGB then go on to say:

If clubs believe they can operate within the government guidelines and ensure no social contact takes place and all social distancing measures and government hygiene measures are in place. They need to make sure they record their decisions and reasons to proceed or not with their activities, and ensure that risk assessment and risk management is considered through their process. We cannot stress strongly enough that the decision to proceed against government advice and our guidance is a risk taken by the club, continuing to shoot could invalidate your insurance and any claims made will be made to the insurers and it is their decision not Archery GB’s. We advise you to postpone all archery activity with immediate effect.

AGB guidance has then been reiterated: https://www.archerygb.org/archery-gb-update-regarding-covid-19/

The government guidance with regards to social distancing can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults

The social distancing guidelines are:

Avoid contact with someone who is displaying symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19). These symptoms include high temperature and/or new and continuous coughAvoid non-essential use of public transport, varying your travel times to avoid rush hour, when possibleWork from home, where possible. Your employer should support you to do this. Please refer to employer guidance for more informationAvoid large gatherings, and gatherings in smaller public spaces such as pubs, cinemas, restaurants, theatres, bars, clubsAvoid gatherings with friends and family. Keep in touch using remote technology such as phone, internet, and social mediaUse telephone or online services to contact your GP or other essential services

Given the current situation we have decided to put the following risk management strategies in place at the clubhouse:

  1. Use of the clubhouse is at your own risk. The government guidelines should be followed and take precedence over all.

  2. The tea and coffee provided in the clubhouse has been put away. If you wish to use the kitchen facilities then you must bring your own tea/coffee/etc... and your own mug, which must not be left at the clubhouse. Any mugs left at the clubhouse will be binned. You must wash your hands before and after using anything within the kitchen.

  3. There is now a limit of one person per boss on the range.

  4. Hands must be washed before and after handling the bosses and the trolleys.

  5. There will be no "pay and shoot" with the £5 line fee at the range. The range is limited to current members only.

The reason we are doing this and not outright closing the club, as per AGB guidelines, is that we believe the club is a refuge for people that may not have access to gardens. We believe that the club can operate, albeit with restrictions, while following the government guidelines on social distancing and hygiene. Obviously we may have to reconsider the position of the club over the coming days/weeks as the guidelines change, and they do take precedent. As such, if you are in the vulnerable category, or if you are showing any symptoms, then please remain at home but do contact us if you need any assistance.

Kind regards,

The Exec Committee