TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

We have recently been receiving an increasing number of enquiries about travelling abroad for training purposes or to compete. We have created this document to help provide further information as well as useful signposting.

The Government’s current stance in England is that you must not leave home, including to travel abroad, unless you have a legally permitted reason to do so, such as, for essential work purposes (Elite athlete), for medical treatment, or urgent compassionate reasons.

Currently, the UK is classed as High risk due to COVID-19 and as such, since leaving the European Union, we are now classed as a “third country” which means we face new restrictions from the EU in light of the pandemic.

Question: Can I travel within the UK?

Answer: The Government has announced, you must not leave, or be outside of your home except where necessary. You may leave the home to:

• Shop for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable person
• Go to work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot reasonably do so from home
• Exercise with your household, support bubble, or one other person – this should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area
• Meet your support bubble or childcare bubble where necessary, but only if you are legally permitted to form one
• Seek medical assistance or avoid injury, illness, or risk of harm (including domestic abuse)
• Attend education or childcare – for those eligible

Question: What about if I want to travel to another country to train or compete?

Answer: You can only travel internationally where you first have a legally permitted reason to leave home (see above). In addition, you should consider the public health advice in the country you are visiting. If you do need to travel overseas (and are legally permitted to do so, for example, because it is for work), even if you are returning to a place you’ve visited before, you should look at the rules in place at your destination and the latest Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) travel advice.

Question: Who is classed as an elite athlete?

Answer: For the purposes of Government guidelines, the definition of an ‘elite athlete’ means a person who is:

• An individual who derives a living from competing in a sport
• A senior representative nominated by a relevant sporting body
• A member of the senior training squad for a relevant sporting body, or
• Aged 16 or above and on an elite development pathway

As per the Government Guidelines, an “elite development pathway” means: a development pathway established by the national governing body of a sport to prepare athletes (a) so that they may derive a living from competing in that sport, or (b) to compete in that sport in the Olympic or Paralympic Games.  The majority of this would be covered by GB Snowsport squads. Please note, if you are on a home nations pathway, you should contact your home nation directly.

For further information please contact Ian Findlay by email: i.findlay@snowsportengland.org.uk

Any breach of these rules may result in your insurance being invalid and further sanctions being taken against you.