There are still a small number of CTT events to take place in 2020.  As no doubt everyone will be aware, the difficulties caused by Covid-19 continue and this continues to have an impact on organised sport.  This update provides a summary of what you can or cannot do so far as CTT events are concerned.  This will depend on the restrictions that affect the area where you live or where the event is to take place.

New measures came into effect on 20 December 2020.  CTT events now have to be considered under the new local restrictions.  The restrictions vary depending on which country or in what area you are in.

Wales
The whole of Wales has now been placed under Alert Level 4.   

Under Alert Level 4, organised outdoor activities are not permitted.  Accordingly, there cannot be any time trials in Wales until such time as this situation changes.  Currently, it is not known when this will be.

In addition, there are travel restrictions in place which mean that no-one from Wales should travel outside of Wales without a reasonable excuse.  Taking part in a CTT event would not be considered as a “reasonable excuse”.

Alert level 4 | Sub-topic | GOV.WALES

England
It is possible to hold a CTT event within the government restrictions as set out for Tiers 1, 2 and 3, although please see below.  Considerable care will be needed to ensure that there is no breach of the restrictions, particularly in Tier 3.  All organisers and/or promoting clubs will need to be confident that they can ensure strict compliance with the CTT Covid-19 risk assessment.  Technically, it may still be possible to run a CTT event within a Tier 4 area, although due to the speed with which the Covid-19 restrictions are evolving, CTT will not sanction any events that are either based in a Tier 4 area or where the meeting point for the start is based in a Tier 4 area.  This position will be reviewed for 2021.

Tier 4 areas
No CTT events are sanctioned and events cannot take place.

Tier 3 area
No events will be sanctioned by CTT and cannot go ahead if it is based in a Tier 3 area, or the meeting point for the start is based in a Tier 3 area (this applies regardless of where it is a Type A or Type B event.  There is a limited exception to this in that Type B “club” events can be held, PROVIDED THAT everyone who competes in the event or helps out at the event, (whether that be a race official or otherwise), is from that same Tier 3 area.  People from Tier 1, Tier 2, any other Tier 3 area or a Tier 4 area must not attend the event. It is strongly recommended that if this exception is to be relied on, the event is kept to a small scale so as to make the event and compliance with the above easier to manage.

Tier 1 and Tier 2 areas
If your event is based within a Tier 1 or Tier 2 area, under the government restrictions as they stand as at today’s date, your event can go ahead.  

Please be aware that the government restrictions provide that for people who live in a Tier 3 area, they should “avoid travelling to other parts of the UK, including for overnight stays other than where necessary, such as for work, education, youth services, to receive medical treatment, or because of caring responsibilities”.  That means no-one (whether that be competitors, race officials or anyone associated with the event) should travel to the event if they live in a Tier 3 area. 

No-one from a Tier 4 area should travel to the event.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance and support - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Scotland
With effect from 26 December, most of Scotland will be in Covid Protection Level 4, with a minority of areas under Level 3.  Currently, outdoor non-contact sports are permitted within Levels 4 and 3. That means that CTT events can take place provided that there is strict compliance with the CTT Covid-19 risk assessment.  As stated on the Scottish government website, please note that physical distancing and good hygiene should always be observed.

You must not travel into or out of Level 3 and 4 local authority areas, (which will include travel into England), except for essential reasons. Taking part in a CTT event would not be considered as an exceptional reason.

Coronavirus in Scotland - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Generally

• Events must not use roads that travel into a Tier 4 area.
• The onus to comply with the above restrictions is on the competitor and/or the person travelling to the event. 
• In all cases, it is essential that the CTT Covid-19 risk assessment is complied with.
• Even in Tier 4, organised outdoor sport for under 18s and disabled people will be allowed.

If you are in doubt or have any questions, please contact Nick Sharpe – National Secretary (Legal & Corporate) nick.sharpe@cyclingtimetrials.org.uk

Finally, thank you to everyone for the support and understanding throughout 2020.  It has been a difficult year. 

Merry Christmas, and a happy New Year