WKO can now update members on what martial arts-related activities are permitted following the UK government’s slight easing of Coronavirus restrictions with regard to sport, as announced on Sunday (10th May) and Monday (11th May).

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Many clubs have been keeping members engaged and motivated through online sessions or VR Training. All are doing a fantastic job and promoting the ethos of indomitable spirit we as martial artist possess.

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Click this link for an example of VR Training by our very own World President Jon Green.

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While many restrictions remain in place – with gyms staying closed for the immediate future – some rules have been relaxed slightly in the official document Our Plan to Rebuild: The UK Government’s COVID-19 Recovery Strategy.

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The latest government advice states: People may exercise outside as many times each day as they wish. You will still not be able to use areas like playgrounds, outdoor gyms, or ticketed outdoor leisure venues, where there is a higher risk of close contact and touching surfaces.

 

You can only exercise with up to one person from outside your household – this means you should not play team sports, except with members of your own household.

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With regard to martial arts activities and training, it means WKO can now issue the following guidance for clubs and members, which will come into effect from Wednesday 13th May:

• Exercise and martial arts activity can now take place as many times in a day as a person wishes, but must be conducted either individually or amongst those within a household in public spaces for things such as general fitness, aerobic training, running, cycling, agility work. Resistance / weight training is allowed, providing a person has access to their own equipment, as well as bag or pad work if confined to those in the household.

• Additionally, one person from a household may meet up to exercise with another person in an outside public space (max two people in total). Where this occurs, they must maintain social distancing guidelines of being at a distance of at least two metres. So, potentially, a coach or another martial artist could join them for sprinting / running, but not hold pads etc and there must be no sparring between two martial artists. We have been advised that a person such as a coach / martial artist could meet someone in the morning for exercise and meet another person later in the day.

• A person, such as a coach, could meet a martial artist to mentor them in a public space provided social distancing is maintained and safeguarding is taken into full consideration.

• All coaching outside of this context is to be conducted digitally or by other means (such as telephone support), avoiding personal interaction.

• For the avoidance of doubt, continued compliance with social distancing guidelines is to remain two metres away from people outside your household and you should maintain good hand hygiene, particularly with respect to shared surfaces. Those responsible for public places must be able to put in place appropriate measures to follow the new COVID-19 secure guidance. Normal safety considerations should also be considered.

• All indoor gyms remain closed, all outdoors gyms are also not permitted at this time.

• Those who are clinically vulnerable should check for further information on the government website: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

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In all instances please ensure you check that your insurance and your members insurance covers you to train, in the locations you are choosing to train in.

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WKO will provide further updates as and when other changes are brought into effect by the government.

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There is also the intention for WKO to publish a document this week outlining a step-by-step way out of lock down for member clubs (subject to further government instructions and timelines).

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We would like to thank you for your continued co-operation and support. Keep safe and we look forwards to working with you on the other side.

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