Dear COVID Officers
In preparation for our long anticipated return to the water from Monday 24th May we can confirm a number of specific COVID protocol arrangements. Guidance that has gone to all swimmers and parents has been outlined below, however in addition we have provided the following information for all COVID Officers – if there are any queries please do not hesitate to contact myself at any stage. Whilst many of the protocols remain the same as they were for our return after the first lockdown last year there are also some new points. For the COVID Officers, I would also note the following:
- LCSC COVID App: hopefully everyone still has access to the LCSC COVID app on their phone, however given that it has been over six months since we have used it last I have also attached a link below should anyone need to reinstall it on their device again: https://covid.oqlist.co.uk/register/intro?clubname=Lisburn%20Swimming
- LCSC COVID App Management Portal: as before we will need to register all swimmers before they enter the Pool Deck area and this will be done using the Management Portal App. I have attached a link below should any need to reinstall it on their device again, along with login details: https://covid.oqlist.co.uk/manage/login
- COVID Officer eLearning Module: the COVID Officer training that everyone took last year remains valid, and Swim Ireland have extended the period covered by your 2020 certification. Whilst there is therefore no requirement to complete the eLearning Module again we would encourage as many officers as possible to complete this again over coming weeks as it would be a useful reminder of some of the key points for us to look out for. I have attached a link below, it really doesn’t take very long to complete and if anyone does complete the module again please do send your updated certificate through to your squad rep. Link to COVID Officer eLearning Course: https://www.swimireland.ie/membership/covid-19-return-to-water
If there are any COVID related queries at any stage please do not hesitate to contact our Lead COVID Officer at the dedicated e-mail address: [email protected] and we look forward to a safe and enjoyable return to the water for everyone
Paul McQuillan
Lead COVID Officer, 23rd May 2021
Dear Swimmers & Parents
In preparation for our long anticipated return to the water from Monday 24th May we can confirm a number of specific COVID protocol arrangements. The attached document provides an overview of the guidance, and whilst many of the protocols remain the same as they were for our return after the first lockdown last year there are also some new points. The key points to note we have highlighted below:
1. on the day of their squad training all swimmers should complete the self-reporting screening using the LCSC COVID app, and all swimmers should register with their Coach or COVID Officer prior to entering the pool deck area;
2. all club swimmers will now be required to wear a face covering as they enter the Leisureplex and face coverings should remain in place until all swimmers have entered the water. The club will be providing all swimmers with a LCSC branded face covering and these will be distributed this week;
3. changing facilities will be available, however where possible all swimmers will be encouraged to arrive at the Leisureplex "swim ready" and leave the Leisureplex promptly after their session has finished. As before, strict social distancing protocols must be adhered in the changing areas;
4. with the exception of the COVID Officer, unfortunately parents will not be permitted to enter the LeisurePlex, gallery or pool deck areas to watch the activities at this stage.
Hopefully everyone still has access to the LCSC COVID app on their phone, however given that it has been over six months since we have used it last I have also attached a link below should anyone need to reinstall it on their device again.
https://covid.oqlist.co.uk/register/intro?clubname=Lisburn%20Swimming
If there are any COVID related queries at any stage please do not hesitate to contact our Lead COVID Officer at the dedicated e-mail address: [email protected] and we look forward to a safe and enjoyable return to the water for everyone
Paul McQuillan
Lead COVID Officer, 23rd May 2021
Dear Swimmers & Parents
Both the Northern Ireland Executive and Irish Government have recently made announcements around the relaxation of COVID restrictions over coming weeks and months. In response, Swim Ireland have prepared a Return to Water Roadmap for 2021, and I have attached a copy below for information.
We will start to review our own safety plans and re-engage our COVID officers over coming weeks in anticipation of a return to the water, however as you will see in the roadmap there are a number of important stages between now and the anticipated start of the 2021/22 season at the beginning of September:
- Outdoor Training: can commence from Monday 12th April 2021;
- Indoor Training: exact dates to be confirmed but anticipated May 2021, and it is hoped that this will include Swimming Lessons, Water Polo Team/Ball skills and Club Swimming/Diving;
- Contact Training: exact dates to be confirmed but anticipated June 2021 when government measures allow contact training to resume;
- Return to Competition: exact dates to be confirmed but anticipated at least four weeks after training resumes, and with an emphasis on celebrating being back in the water;
- Relax, Refresh & Recharge: whilst it will remain up to each individual club to decide on the timing, Swim Ireland are recommending at least two weeks off prior to the new season.
As the Executive makes further announcements over coming weeks, some of the dates will become more precise and I will update further based on that guidance and further information received from Swim Ireland in due course.
If there are any COVID related queries at any stage please do not hesitate to contact our Lead COVID Officer at the dedicated e-mail address: [email protected].
Paul McQuillan
Lead COVID Officer, 12th April 2021
Dear Swimmers & Parents
In preparation for our return to the water we will circulate all COVID related protocols, information and updates via our Team Unify Notifications and through our Squad Reps. We equally appreciate however that having a central reference point to capture all such information for Swimmers and Parents alike will be important, and with this in mind we will also ensure that all information and documentation will be captured within this section on the Website.
Pathway out of Restrictions
Following on from the launch of the Executive's Pathway out of Restrictions we do now have some visibility of the anticipated phasing of our return to the water. Whilst at the moment we remain in Phase 1 of the Pathway, it is expected that Leisure Centres and all indoor sports facilities will reopen (including swimming pools and gyms) during Phase 3. The Executive's first review of the Pathway is on 16th March, and we will update further after that review when we would hope to get some indicative timetable towards the first move up through the Phases.
As timings become clearer we will continue to work closely with the Leisureplex, Swim Ireland and Swim Ulster to ensure that we are working within the guidelines in place to make our return to the water as safe and secure as possible.
You will remember from our return to the water last year that all swimmers, coaches and parents-on-duty had to complete a self reporting assesment before each session. The self assessment form must be completed no more than 12 hours before training, and this quick and easy process was an important step in ensuring that we continued to comply with our COVID protocols througout. We anticipate that we will use the same process again, and whilst we are a little time away from being back in the water this would perhaps be a good opportunity to make sure that everyone still has the form easily accessible on their computer and/or smart device.
https://covid.oqlist.co.uk/register/intro?clubname=Lisburn%20Swimming
If there are any COVID related queries at any stage please do not hesitate to contact our Lead COVID Officer at the dedicated e-mail address: [email protected].
Paul McQuillan
Lead COVID Officer, 6th March 2021
