Reminder from Scottish sports chiefs to follow all guidelines

Golfers have been warned they risk forcing a change in law, should they not respect current travel guidance.
Advice to golfers in general fro the authorities.Advice to golfers in general fro the authorities.
Advice to golfers in general fro the authorities.

Local courses have now been open for business for around three weeks, with some having reintroduced competitions and also hoping shortly to readmit visitors.

Clubs have been enforcing strict safety measures on site which are largely being adhered to.

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Some Borders course bosses indicated they were so pleased at being to be able to play again that they were glad to comply fully with the instructions.

However, in a letter to all of sport’s governing bodies – including Scottish Golf – Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing, Joe FitzPatrick, and chairman of sportscotland, Mel Young, claimed there was “evidence” some people were ignoring the current guidance of not travelling more than five miles for recreation.

The warning to those choosing not to respect the restrictions was stark.

“We (recently) entered phase one of the Scottish Government route map for moving out of lockdown, which allowed some flexibility to the existing restrictions,” the statement indicated.

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“As part of phase one, we were pleased a number of outdoor activities and sport could return.

“We were grateful for the work you did to support that and provide clear guidance to your clubs and members.

“As part of that guidance, we recommended that people did not travel more than five miles for recreation but we left room for some discretion, so that people could go further to visit family.

“While the majority adhered to this guidance, there was some evidence of a minority not abiding by those guidelines and travelling significant distances unnecessarily.

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“If people continue to make journeys which risk spreading the virus – we may have to put the restrictions on travel distance into law.

“This is something we do not want to do but may have to, if we think it is necessary for the collective safety and wellbeing of everyone.

“We have made significant progress in tackling Covid-19 but this is not irreversible.

“It requires us all to be responsible and adhere to the rules that are in place.

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“If we all stick to these rules, we are helping to suppress this virus.

“However, by travelling greater distances to undertake activities unnecessarily, we are providing a chance for the virus to spread more quickly, and to spread to different parts of the country.”